Act Like Men

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.”

“Act like men” is translated from the Greek word andrizo. It means to be courageous from within. Andrizo is not an outward sign of courage that is all talk, but courage that comes from the confidence that Jesus Christ controls history. King David exemplified andrizo. He was courageous when everyone else was fearful. His courage came from the confidence that God will “perform what He has promised.”

Although the word andrizo is not mentioned in Romans 4:19-21, the text supports the idea of courage through confidence in God.

“Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:19-21).

This passage gives us six characteristics of a believer who is “acting like men”.

1. “Without becoming weak in faith” How strong is your confidence in the truth of God’s Word?

2.“Respect to the promise of God” Do you believe the Word of God to be absolute truth and the final authority in faith and life?

3. “Did not waiver in unbelief” Are you “standing firm in the faith”?

4. “Grew strong in the faith” Are you growing Spiritually?

5. “Giving Glory to God” Do you give God the glory for conquering the Goliaths in your life? (Thanks Bart)

6. “Being fully assured” Do you have an attitude of certainty in the character of God and the person of Jesus Christ?

If you possess these characteristics then you are “acting like men”. Do you? When we train in the Word (be on the alert) and execute our training (stand firm in the faith) we can have the courage that comes from complete confidence in character of Jesus Christ (act like men). We have no reason to fear trails, temptation, testing, or affliction because Jesus Christ is in control of all circumstance. This type of courage only comes from absolute confidence in the sovereignty of God. Get to know God, trust Him, and “ACT LIKE MEN!”