Christian Gentlemen

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

Paul the Apostle writing to the Corinthians told the men: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13) Evidently they were not being the men that Christian men ought to be. Notice there are four things in this passage that are assigned to them for correction.

The term “gentleman” is defined as a man who is well-bred, well-mannered, courteous, gracious, and considerate; yet he is steadfast in his convictions, determined, and courageous when the need arises. Christian men are well-bred, or of good stock, because they are born of God. Thus, they are to show forth their heavenly nature and are to be cultured to a godly fashion, into the image of Christ Jesus. Christian refers to one being in the likeness of Christ.

1) “Watch ye” – or wake yourself up concerning spiritual things. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (I Cor. 15:34) It requires true manliness to know and to walk in the righteousness of God. Anyone can walk in the ways of the world, but to take the high road demands knowledge and determination.

2) “Stand fast in the faith” – or remain anchored in the faith once delivered unto the saints of old. It is easy to go with the flow of the religious masses, but to be anchored upon the Rock of the ages against the torrents of deceptive doctrines requires unmovable conviction in heavenly faith.

3) “Quit you like men” – or behave and conduct oneself as a real man. Many wrongly assume that manhood is being a belligerent ill-mannered foul-mouthed drunken imbecile. Christian manhood sets its standards far higher than the cesspools of the condemned. A Christian man is well-mannered, courteous, gracious, and considerate displaying the manly character of the eternal Christ.

4) “Be strong” – or gain the strength you need to resist the onslaught of the devil and the conniving of evil men. God told Joshua, “Be Strong and of good courage.” Paul said to “Put on the whole armour of God.” Why? Because there is a war raging and every man must give himself valiantly to the battle at hand. The spiritual battlefield is no place for unmanly cowards. Heaven’s soldiers are Gentlemen looking unto the Captain of their salvation.