(Photo courtesy of Robin Ganyard)
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” I am quite familiar with this saying, and it is most often associated with the particularly difficult challenges that one faces in life. What I didn’t realize was that its roots are found in 1 Corinthians 16:13!
Paul is speaking to the Christians in the city of Corinth, a town known for its carnality and idolatry. As the immoral culture of Corinth tries to permeate the new church, Paul is telling the Corinthian Christians to be on the lookout for sin and stay strong in their faith. They are to continue in their faith (the archaic meaning of “quit” is to continue steadfast in) like strong men, not like weak individuals who would fall victim to the temptations. They are to hold fast to what they know is right and godly. In other words, they are to remain tough in their faith, and go forward in faith.
That’s good for advice for today’s world, isn’t it? When I look at our nation and the turmoil within it, I can see the wickedness desperately trying to seep into our churches. There is an overwhelming cultural acceptance of things that once were considered an abomination to the Lord by the majority of the people. Now things like homosexuality, adultery, corruption in government, abortion… all things which the Bible states are abominations to God… are now viewed as the norm by many in today’s society.
Paul could be speaking to us today when he says to stand fast in our faith and to continue as strong men in what we believe to be true and godly. It is not an easy thing to stand for what one believes when it is contrary to the norm, but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit of God to do just that if we choose. How do we do it? We stay in God’s Word for wisdom, guidance, and strength. We support our pastors and churches in fellowship, finances, and prayer. We pray for our leaders in government, including our president, governor, and local leaders. We pray for revival in our land, and we trust God for the outcome. Sometimes it looks impossible, but remember what Jesus said in Luke 18:27, “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye.
(from “Am I a Soldier of the Cross” by Isaac Watts)
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” -Ephesians 6:11
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It’s time for all of us to stand up for Jesus!