BEN F. VICK, JR.
As Paul is closing out his first epistle to the Corinthians, he exhorts them: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.” (1 Cor. 16:13–14.) There are five imperatives or commands which he gives to the saints at Corinth. Based on the instructions given earlier in this letter, there was a need for all of these commands to be obeyed. They are not “if-you-want-to” instructions. They are not suggestions. They are necessary. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.) We demonstrate our love for the Lord by our obedience to him. His ambassador, Paul, gave these commands to the Corinthian church, but they apply to every Christian in every generation, every sphere, and clime. Let us notice them one at a time.
Watch Ye. The Christian must always be watchful. Jesus said to his apostles, “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13:37.) To the Thessalonians, Paul wrote, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thess. 5:6.) Peter warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8.) The Lord to the church at Sardis said, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” (Rev. 3:2.) Later in the Revelation, the Lord said, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Rev. 16:15.)
Elders are to be watchful. Paul told the elders of Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” (Acts 20:28–32.)
Preachers are to be watchful. The apostle Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Tim. 4:16.) As Paul was closing out his second letter to Timothy, his son in the gospel, he said, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:5)
Stand Fast in The Faith. To stand does not mean do nothing, but it means to stand firm, metaphorically to persist, persevere. There is a need for all Christians to stand firm, to persist, to persevere. In the letter to the Philippian church, Paul exhorted them, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:27.) To the Ephesian saints, Paul commanded them to stand against the wiles of the devil. They were exhorted to put on the whole armor of God to be able to withstand in the evil day. They were admonished to stand, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, taking the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:10-17).
Now note, Paul did NOT say, "Stand fast in your opinion." How much damage is done in the church when cantankerous members stand fast in their opinions! It must be their way or the highway! Everyone may have their say, but everyone does not get his way. When it comes to one's family, everyone may have a view, but final judgments are made by the head of the house: the father. Likewise, in the family of God, when it comes to judgments, all may have their views but final decisions rest with the eldership. And I stress the eldership, not one elder. Even elders must submit to the eldership. Those who are determined not to obey their overseers make it hard on them. Paul wrote, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Heb.13:17.) The attitude of some reminds me of the little boy who was told by his father to sit down. He did, but he said, “I may be sitting down on the outside, but I am standing up on the inside.” They are silently defiant. Dealing with such an attitude is like trying to answer a sneer. How do you answer a sneer?
Quit You Like Men. We may say to a young man, “Be a man!” What we mean is be courageous. Be brave. Thus, one characteristic of a man is courage. Some men have a shoestring for a backbone. The lad David acted the part of a man when he met Goliath. Saul and all of his army were cowards. David knew that God would be with him. When one does right, he has nothing to fear (Heb. 13:5-6).
To Be Continued Next Week