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The image shows a tranquil rural landscape at sunrise or sunset with text "A Successful Life" and a biblical reference, "1 Corinthians 16:5-14", dated August 4, 2024.
Bible Passage 1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:5-14: A Successful Life

  • Tony Raker
Date preached August 4, 2024

1 Corinthians 16:13-14: these verses might be said to contain a formula for victorious living, for the kind of Christian life that God has made possible and that He desires for His children – and that His children desire to live! These verses contain very practical and down-to-earth advice.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

  • Grammatical Usage: “watchful” or in the Greek, “alert; vigilant”; “firm” or “stekete” meaning, “persevere”; “strong” or “krataiousthe” meaning, “dominating strength”; 14: “love” or “agape” meaning, “divine love” or “what God prefers.”
  • Literal Interpretation: Be alert and vigilant, persevere in the faith, mature, demonstrate dominating strength. 14 Do everything as God prefers.
  • Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word, God continually uses His Word. There is a military tone about the commands that are stated here; it is almost as though soldiers were going into battle, but before going their general addressed them and said, “Be on your guard…stand firm…be men of courage…be strong…do everything in love!” We should remember that as Christians we are soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3), engaged in a terrific warfare (Ephesians 6:12). But thank God, we have a great Captain! (Hebrews 2:10). How are we to be successful? Paul outlines five essential points:

 

  1. Always be on your guard

This is the significance of the words in v. 13. They mean, ‘Keep awake and be vigilant!’ The picture is of a sentry on duty. He must be on the alert all the time. Our three great enemies are the world, the flesh and the Devil, and unless we are on guard and doing constant sentry duty we shall be overcome by these enemies.

    1. The World is the enemy without. Corinth was the most important city of Greece, a great center of commerce and of educational institutions, but it was a notoriously wicked city. It was rich and beautiful, but it was sinful and corrupt. What a powerful enemy the world is (1 John 2:15-17).
    2. The Flesh is the enemy within. The “flesh” is evil and corrupt and it is incapable of improvement (Romans 7:18). We very quickly fall a prey to our old nature, which is seen when we show anger, bad temper, pride, irritability and when we are critical of others.
    3. The Devil is the enemy all around. Satan is a real and a powerful foe and he is determined to bring about our downfall (1 Peter 5:8). But we are not to be “unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
  1. Stand firm in the faith

Compare our verse with 1 Corinthians 15:58. The word really means ‘stay put’ – have spiritual convictions and stick to them. If we are going to have spiritual convictions and stick to them we must be men and women of the Word (2 Timothy 2:15). We shall never grow up into spiritual maturity and be strong in the Lord and in His power unless we feed constantly upon the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15-17), and especially underline v. 13. But it is important to notice that the words “stand firm in the faith” also mean, ‘Keep on trusting, do not lose faith’. In the midst of international tensions and personal trials and testings, when reverses and losses come upon us, Satan’s primary objective is to shatter our faith (Luke 22:31-32); therefore, stand firm in the faith! – let your whole trust be in the Lord who will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5-6).

  1. Be people of courage

How long have you been a Christian? Perhaps you need the advice, ‘Act your age!’ – (1 Corinthians 13:11). Christians are often childish and petty and they behave like babies; they have not grown up (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Such behavior is an indication of spiritual immaturity. We must rise to the full stature of our adulthood in Christ. But how can we do this, and what are our resources? Here is the answer:

  1. Do not rely upon yourself

When Paul says in v. 13, “Be strong…” he is not for a moment suggesting that we have any strength of our own. We are incapable of facing the world, the flesh and the Devil, of being victorious over these enemies, of living a life that pleases God in our own strength (Ephesians 6:10-17) and you will discover that there is no need for defeat. Every time we are defeated the reason is that we have been relying upon our own resources. The plain, simple advice is this: Don’t rely on yourself! (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). But there is one more very important aspect of the successful life, perhaps the most important of all:

  1. Let love regulate all that you do

This is the meaning of v. 14. Love is the hallmark, the distinguishing feature of the Christian: love for the Lord Jesus (John 14:15); and love for all the Lord’s people (John 13:34-35).

Here are a few of the many passages that teach us how to show Christian love. When we love others, we demonstrate what the love of God looks like. The Bible shows us many practical ways to love others. Which one of these actions of love do you most need to give in your relationships right now?

    • Be devoted and give preference to one another (Romans 12:10).
    • Build up one another (Romans 14:19).
    • Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
    • Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25).
    • Serve one another (Galatians 5:13).
    • Bear one another’s burden. (Galatians 6:2).
    • Be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving with one another (Ephesians 4:32).
    • Regard others as more important (Philippians 2:3).
    • Bear with and forgive complaints against others (Colossians 3:13).
    • Encourage and esteem one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11-14).
  • Conclusion: Will I set my heart on being a biblical success today…and everyday?