Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments

Mar 13:37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 

The exhortation to be watchful was not only given to the apostles but to us all. Jesus exhorts us to actively "watch". John said, "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments," (Revelations 16:15).

To watch means to stay wide awake. It is to take heed and be on the lookout. As Christians, we cannot afford to slumber because too much is at risk; our salvation depends on us keeping watch over our adversary, the devil (1 Peter 5:8). Paul warns: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

What are some of the things we are to watch out for?

1. FAITH - If we fall asleep spiritually, we will become Satan’s prey. The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

2. SINS – Our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Temptations are everywhere and a Christian who does not take heed will fall into it.

3. The DEVIL – One of the saddest things among some Christians is that they do not know they are working with the devil. Divisions, strife, contentions, covetousness, hatred, laziness, disobedience, irreverence, pride, and many such like behaviour belong to the devil. Peter says: “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” (1 Peter 5:8, ASV). I’m afraid some of these Christians have already been devoured.

4. FALSE DOCTRINES – One reason that so many are being led to believe in false doctrines is because of ignorance of the word of God (Matthew 22:29). As, Christians, we are to be ever mindful of false doctrines by first knowing the truth: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16).

5. CHRIST’S SECOND COMING - As the Lord’s servants, if we do not watch, we will be caught by surprise when the Lord comes (Mark 13:35-36). Hence, let us be ready to meet the Lord.

6. FOR ONE ANOTHER – We are also to watch out for the faith of our brothers and sisters-in-Christ. James wrote: “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

We see that being watchful means being spiritually awake and focused on our priorities. One of the greatest mistakes made by many is of overly confident in themselves. As a result, they did not take heed and fell away (1 Corinthians 10:12).  

When our Lord Jesus told the apostles to watch and pray that they entered not into temptations, He added on these words: “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41b). He means the spiritual side in us wants to do the right and moral things but the fleshly side in us is weak and causes us to sin (Romans 7:15).  

Hence, the commandment to be watchful is even more needed today. There are so many things that can distract us from serving God. The devil is ever trying to take away our faith in God. We must ever be watchful and stay away from temptations.

 “Take ye heed, watch and pray,” our Lord says (Mark 13:33). We can only remain faithful when we are devoted to prayer. When we live with the eager expectation of the Lord’s return and the joy of entering heaven, we are more likely to keep our lives pure and our hearts ready to meet Him. Yes, watch and pray!

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.