Be Men

I Cor. 16:13-14

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that be done be done in love.

The admonition is to be men, to be mature. What does this mean? First it means to be watchful, to be alert. Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation and Be sober-minded; be watchful; Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. From these verses it seems that watching has to do with the devil and temptation. It is a defensive move of protection that allows for growth. If temptation and sin rule the life then no growth will happen.

Secondly, it means to stand firm in the faith. This would be the offensive action of growth and maturity in Christ. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Standing firm is continual, uninterrupted growth into the fullness of Christ which cannot be accomplished without watching and resisting the devil.

Thirdly, it means to act like men, not children. So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ and You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Men eat the meat, the solid food of the Word. Their lives are based in and centered on the Word. They devour it, meditate on it, memorize it, and live it!

Next, it means to be strong, to not wimp out but instead to endure to the end. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. This strength is not human in source or nature, but is found and sustained in the Lord, in His power and grace.

Finally, it means that love is the motivation for all that is done because love lasts and binds together. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. With a motivation like this, human actions would be entirely different. This kind of love comes from a heart transformed and operating in the power of His strength and grace.

Father,
Help me to live this verse. Give me Your grace and strength to grow into maturity in Christ. 
In Jesus name,
Amen