True Christian Manhood
by Weldon Rightmer

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with love.” (I Cor. 16:13-14)

We wish to point out five things in these outstanding verses. First, note the word “watch.” It means to keep awake, alert, and be vigilant. We are in enemy territory, and someone has suggested that three generals have foes marshaled against us: the flesh, the world, and Satan. In every respect, we are to maintain a practical defensive life. Romans 7:24-25, I John 5:4, and Revelation 12:11 tell us how to overcome these three enemies.

Second, the believer is told to “stand fast” (Compare Galatians 5:1, Philippians 1:27 and II Thessalonians 2:15). The “faith of the gospel” is the sum of what is believed. We are to be defensive in doctrine. All of the truths accepted by faith are to be understood and crystallized in our lives. The child of God is to have deep convictions about every truth of the Word.

Thirdly, God says that the Christian is to “quit you like men.” This means to “make a man, play the part of a man.” By applying II Timothy 3:16-17 one may become a “man of God.” Don’t stay behind the entrenchments; be aggressive, not just watchful. There is to be activity as well as devotion. In other words, be men drawn up in line of battle. Paul rejoiced when he beheld the order (each one in his place, forming a solid front) of the Colossians (2:5).

Fourthly, we are encouraged to “be strong.” This is rendered “waxed strong” in Luke 1:80 and 2:40; “be strengthened” in Ephesians 3:16. This is the aggressive doctrinal side of the Christian life. Let us study every side of the truth. II Timothy 2:15 says:

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Fifthly, God says, “Let all your things be done with love.” The entire development process in these verses must be under the governing principle of love. As we sit at the “post of watchfulness,” love must stand by. As we study and formulate our doctrine, love must guide. As we endeavor to “play the part of a man,” love must motivate our every thought and action. Love must also guard us against self-dogmatism in standing for the truth.

Some people have the mistaken idea that Christianity takes away all vitality, making us weaklings. Many think that salvation is for old ladies and children. If all of these accusations were true, Christianity would be a disease.

The true end of all is true “manhood.” Read, carefully, II Timothy 3:16-17 and Ephesians 4:13. Compare I Kings 2:2 and I Timothy 6:11. We are not told to “be as gods (Gen 3:5), just be “men.” Neither are we told to be as angels. Sin did not take us out of the realm of a man. Neither does salvation make us more than a man. The kind of a man we are told to be is described in II Timothy 2:3:

“Thou, therefore, endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Remember, John the Baptist was just a man “sent from God” (John 1:6).