Watch Yourself!

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love."

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

When we read exhortations to "watch" in the scripture, our minds might go to the role of the watchman who vigilantly kept watch over a city to sound the alarm at the sign of an approaching enemy.  This watchman on duty was primarily serving the common good, like a shepherd who was on guard to protect sheep from wolves and thieves.  In context, this exhortation to "watch" is better viewed as primarily personal.  Rather than keeping watch for the protection of others to warn them of approaching dangers, this call is to first keep watch over ourselves that we are doing what Paul commands ourselves:  stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong and see all that we do be done with love.

Examining our own hearts, ensuring we stand in the faith of Jesus Christ and doing all in love ourselves will result in better watchmen of the the flock or city.  If we leave this personal calling and responsibility undone, we will be like the one Jesus spoke of who had the log in their own eye and could not see clearly to remove a speck from their brother's eye.  It is fine to be on guard against external threats or even on falsehoods worming their way into the church, but the ones that creep into our own hearts and minds due to pride, hypocrisy and self-righteousness are the most destructive.  King Saul's problem was not the Philistines that couched in garrisons but his own proud and rebellious heart.  Having been born again by faith in Jesus, He makes us to be brave and be strong because of our new identify in Him.

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul previously gave a wonderful description of love that ought to guide our thinking, decisions and conduct.  By steadfast faith in Jesus, we ought to see we walk according to God's unfailing love shown in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:  "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  By God's grace let us see we are brave and strong to live like this, and as we follow Jesus we will see clearly to follow Him closely, delighting in Him and doing His will.