22/12/09

Do not be boys, be men

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.


In this letter which Paul wrote to Corinthians (some of the epistles were written by Paul and some are contested to be written by Paul's disciples; it does not matter who physically wrote them, what most matters is who is the real author is, and the contents prove that; for they are perfect and can only be the work of the Holy Spirit), Paul is telling them that Apollos who was another very important guide to them would not be able to be with them. Therefore even in his absence they are requested to have faith and not be dependent like small children.

Almost all of us have come into the Lord via the efforts of some or the other individual. Many of us have people in our lives, who inspire us and strengthen us in our way of faith.

In today's message the One who has sent them is telling you and me not to depend on them, to be able to do without them. He is telling us not to be like a child who has been delivered from his mother's womb but refuses to allow the umbilical cord to be cut. How will the child use the ability which the Lord has provided to sustain itself, if it keeps depending on nourishment from its mother via the umbilical cord?

This message is also to those who have been instrument to bring others to the Lord. You have done your work of bringing them to the Lord now it is time that you let the Lord take over from you. Bring them to acknowledge that even though you were there still it was the Lord who did everything. Let them see less of you and more of the Lord. Make men of them.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord Jesus, when You came as man You showed us the exact way to led those who are given unto us. You walked with them, taught them, supported them when they were weak, became a perfect example to them. Even though You were perfect yet You handed them over to the Holy Spirit the real Worker in You. You glorified the Father who was in You.

Lord, help that we too may not be carried away in our duty towards our spiritual children. That we too imitate You and glorify the Father...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
John 16:7
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 7:37-39
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 16:23-27
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

John 10:37-38
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)