Courage!

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."

The phrase; "ACT LIKE MEN!" is a challenge to all.

If you pay close attention to the before & after of this phrase, you will soon notice that Paul is addressing the Corinthian church in general.

His goal was to encourage them to a lifestyle that was drastically different.

He wanted them to live out their faith by the means of "LOVE!"

"LOVE TAKES COURAGE!"

The phrase; "ACT LIKE MEN! was literally a challenge to the entire congregation to "ACT COURAGEOUSLY!"

That word; "MEN!" was a term used to describe the courage of real men of faith WHO DARED TO LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S ATTRIBUTES!

Here, Paul is challenging us.

He is saying:

"LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH IN LOVE, NO MATTER WHAT OPPOSITION MAY COME YOUR WAY!"

"WHAT BETTER WAY TO DEMONSTRATE TO THOSE AROUND US THAT GOD IS LOVE!"