Man Up

1 Corinthians 16:13 -14 (NKJV) – Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV) – Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  

Paul was writing to the Corinthian church in response to divisions in the church.  There was quarreling among church members, incest, lawsuits, food sacrificed to idols and a host of other issues that Paul addressed.

How are we to “Man-Up”?

Be Watchful

To be watchful means to stay awake; to be alert; and to be vigilant.  They were always to be vigilant in discerning the tricks of the enemy, erroneous theology, or other issues.  Scripture tells us in Ephesians 6 that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, so we must be watchful in regard to our great enemy.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) – Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 

Stand Firm

To stand firm means to hold firm and stand your ground in faith.  We are to stand firm in what is believed about the good news of Jesus.  There’s an enemy that will come in with false teaching.  We have to stand firm.

“God is so faithful that He’ll keep His promise to a dead man.” – Pastor Billy Johnson  

Be Brave

The phrase “Be Brave” literally means to act courageously in the face of danger.  This kind of bravery comes from being in a real relationship with God.  Many times when we find ourselves struggling with trusting, it’s an indication that we are lacking intimacy with God. God is able to do what He said He’ll do in your current situation through you. The bravery comes from the knowledge of who God is.

Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Be Strong

To be strong means to become powerful beyond the average or what is expected. You can pray for strength. The spirit of God will flow through you and provide you with strength.

“My strength comes from His might.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

“The level of my consecration determines the level of my strength.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

 

“There should be some non-negotiables in your life.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV) – that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…

Love Anyway

Meaning you are not going to wait for someone to become loveable before you love them.  Love them anyway. God loves you anyway.