Jump Start # 1341

1 Corinthian 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

One of the characteristics of Paul’s writings is found in our verse today. In our modern concepts we would call these “bullet points.” He lists short phrases of action that he expected brethren to follow. He doesn’t explain them, prove them or give much detail. He simply states them. You find examples such as our verse in many of his letters, especially Romans.

Our verse today contains four statements. They are similar and are connected, yet each one is special on it’s own. These four statements call us to attention and makes us focus upon what is important. Alert, standing, acting, being strong—positive admonitions. Powerful statements. Qualities of faith.

Today, I want to focus particularly on the third statement, “Act like men.” We use the expression, “Act your age,” or, “grow up.” Paul is calling upon the maturity of our faith. The opposite of acting like men is to act like babies, or immature. Throwing fits. Shouting. Having to have your way. Crying about yourself. Shallow thinking. Not seeing things through. Not finishing things. Having to have someone hold your hand. Threatening to leave. Needing attention. These are the qualities of immaturity.

Immature Christians hold back the work of a congregation. Instead of putting attention upon saving the lost, the attention must be diverted to the immature who cannot get along, cannot do what they are supposed to do and who do not want to go along with everyone else. We all come into this life immature. Parenting is to help us grow up. The problem is when immature parents are raising immature children, it’s a disaster. Some never grow up. Their bodies do, but not their emotions, minds and heart. They quit things easily. They get their feelings bruised. They can’t seem to advance. Spiritually, we are born again as children or immature. Our time spent with Christ ought to help us grow up. It doesn’t always happen. The Hebrews are an example of some who should have been teaching others, but they themselves needed to be taught. They hadn’t advanced. They couldn’t handle the deeper things. They remained babies spiritually. The Corinthians were like this. Paul, in the third chapter, said that he could not address them as spiritual, but as carnal, as babes. They were fussing over favorites. They were dividing. They were fighting. They were misusing and abusing the Lord’s Supper. They were a mess. They were acting like children.

Act like men. Grow up. Not everything is going to go your way. Don’t quit when it doesn’t. Not every day is going to run smooth. People are going to bother you, bug you and get in your way. Don’t slow down. Satan will throw obstacles to trip you up. Don’t give in.

Acting like men allows us to see that we serve and follow the Lord, not the people. The people may let us down, Jesus never does. The people may disappoint, the Lord never does. The people can be vain, shallow and gossipy, Jesus never is. Acting like men gets us to see what the big picture is. It is so easy to get side tracked on little things that do not matter. Acting like men stays the course. Acting like men brings out the best character in us. You know what it is like when adults act like children. They can scream at each other. They pout. They try to get people on their side. They try to undermine others. Oh, the games some will play when they are upset. Too immature to apologize. Too immature to admit wrong. Too immature to forgive. It’s easier simply not to talk to a person again. It’s easier to avoid them, not include them and to be smug in your attitude toward them. Sometimes Christians can act very unchristian when they are upset at one another. Name calling. Evil thinking. Threats. All the actions and plans of the immature. Act like men. That’s what God expects.

Remember Jesus? When reviled, He uttered no threats in return. He didn’t stoop to name calling. He didn’t belittle people. He didn’t ignore some. Act like men.

It takes thought and right choices to act like men, especially when others around you are acting like children. Sometimes even leaders can act like children. They shouldn’t, but they can and they do. It’s especially important for them to set the tone by being mature in thought and actions. Congregations can act very immature. When they do, it has a negative impact. Things usually blow up and the immaturity is all too well illustrated. It causes some to leave. It causes some to quit. The solution is simply, “act like men.”

We must take our lead from Christ. We must learn from Him. This is what must be done. It’s time to grow up and be responsible with our faith. It’s time to lead others with our faith. It’s time to be dependable, productive and useful with our faith.

Act like men!

Roger