1 Corinthians 16:13

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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain 1 Corinthians 16:13:

I Corinthians 16:13
Excerpted from: A Place of Safety? (Part 5)

Doesn't that pretty much sum it up? That's being faithful. The way that Paul wrote this, these were not in his mind to be momentary attitudes, but continuous states. Brethren, this is what is developed and produced in us by God's spirit because of the relationship with Christ. And so when he says "watch," he's not talking about an occasional absence of sleep but a determined effort at wakefulness. It means being vigilant so that our spiritual liberty won't be endangered by compromising with anything in our environment.

It means not playing with temptations. He is telling us to be stable and not to be flitting from one fad and fashion to another like the people in this book (I Corinthians) were shown to be. He says, "Be like men." He means, "Be mature, stable, responsible to duty." He wants us to understand that nothing fine and good can be built if it's treated in a casual and informal, easygoing spirit.

He wants us to understand that being strong in God is not something inherent within us. Remember it doesn't come naturally. Human nature is at war against God. It resists seeking God. Being strong in God is derived from the relationship with Him, and this relationship must be worked at, even as a good relationship with another human being must be worked at.

Finally, "love" he says. He's talking here about the love of God. This is not a syrupy affection with a lot of hugs or charm or social graces (though it may include those things). The bible in fact says that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain. He is not saying that they are evil, He is saying that they have the power to deceive us and others into thinking that because one is charming or beautiful, that they are somehow converted. He is warning us that those things might be nothing more than a carnal façade. Brethren, what is love?

Love is doing what is right from God's perspective. Remember this is the same apostle who admonished Timothy to rebuke people before all, even right before the congregation. If that's what it took, that was what was to be done, and it was an act of love. Love is being responsible, love is being honest, love is being loyal, trustworthy, faithful, love is being zealous toward God and it is other things as well.

I Corinthians 16:13-14
Excerpted from: A Place of Safety? (Part 5)

Doesn't that pretty much sum it up? That's being faithful. The way that Paul wrote this, these were not in his mind to be momentary attitudes, but continuous states. Brethren, this is what is developed and produced in us by God's spirit because of the relationship with Christ. And so when he says "watch," he's not talking about an occasional absence of sleep but a determined effort at wakefulness. It means being vigilant so that our spiritual liberty won't be endangered by compromising with anything in our environment.

It means not playing with temptations. He is telling us to be stable and not to be flitting from one fad and fashion to another like the people in this book (I Corinthians) were shown to be. He says, "Be like men." He means, "Be mature, stable, responsible to duty." He wants us to understand that nothing fine and good can be built if it's treated in a casual and informal, easygoing spirit.

He wants us to understand that being strong in God is not something inherent within us. Remember it doesn't come naturally. Human nature is at war against God. It resists seeking God. Being strong in God is derived from the relationship with Him, and this relationship must be worked at, even as a good relationship with another human being must be worked at.

Finally, "love" he says. He's talking here about the love of God. This is not a syrupy affection with a lot of hugs or charm or social graces (though it may include those things). The bible in fact says that charm is deceitful and beauty is vain. He is not saying that they are evil, He is saying that they have the power to deceive us and others into thinking that because one is charming or beautiful, that they are somehow converted. He is warning us that those things might be nothing more than a carnal façade. Brethren, what is love?

Love is doing what is right from God's perspective. Remember this is the same apostle who admonished Timothy to rebuke people before all, even right before the congregation. If that's what it took, that was what was to be done, and it was an act of love. Love is being responsible, love is being honest, love is being loyal, trustworthy, faithful, love is being zealous toward God and it is other things as well.

Articles
Courage and the Dog Soldier  (3)
Courage and the Dog Soldier
How Brave Is Your Heart?
Praying Always (Part One)
The Sin of Fear (Part Two)

Essays
Fear Not (Part Two)
The Relationship Deficit (Part One)

Sermons
Prepare
Are You Fighting the Good Fight?
Harden Not Your Heart
Gideon's 300
Things Which Cannot Be Shaken
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part 7)
Enduring as a Good Soldier
Stand Fast in a Changing World
Corinthian Parallels to Sodom
Prove Yourself A Man!
The Unshakable Kingdom!

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