Act Like Men, Be Strong: 1 Corinthians 16:13
July 31, 2023
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
We hear the term “toxic masculinity” a lot these days. It’s a label that implies that even at our most genteel and lucid men are nothing more than mindless, knuckle-dragging Rambo clones. I want to address the destructive lie attached to that generalization because it’s bringing great harm to the capital “C” church.
In God’s economy, what exactly does it mean to act like a man? I think that the best standard to pursue is the one set by Jesus Himself. Jesus was fearless. He stood up to those who were intent on killing Him, never breaking a law while always maintaining a degree of respect and compassion. He was obedient, perfectly so. Guys, we’re not capable of Jesus-like obedience but we are more than capable to strive to be that obedient. Jesus was humble. He came to serve, not rule. He never pursued wealth or status.
Jesus prayed and He prayed often. He prayed fervently, diligently, and daily. Jesus knew and His life was guided by God’s Word. Jesus was meek, always in control. Meekness and weakness aren’t synonymous. Meekness implies that a sober, wise mind is at work.
Paul also tells us to be strong. That fellas, has nothing to do with how much you can bench. Yes, in general men are physically stronger than women. But the strength Paul’s talking about here has more to do with spiritual strength, an ability to reject sin in all its forms. If you’re married it’s the strength required to guide your family in the faith. It’s the strength needed to work at your marriage, honoring your wife and remaining faithful to her. It’s the strength needed to stand against the lies of Satan and the ways of the world and do it in love as Paul says. It takes a certain kind of strength to share the Gospel in a way that’s gentle, loving, and respectful, but it’s the most vital kind of strength we as men can possess.
It’s the kind of strength that steers us away from tolerating or rationalizing sin. It’s the kind of strength that inspires us to love everyone, be forgiving and radiate the Holy Spirit to the world around us. There’s nothing toxic about being a man pursuing Jesus, all that’s required on our part is desire. Let that desire take hold of you and you’ll find that you’re living like the man God calls you to be. And that’s the only kind of man you want to be.
There’s absolutely nothing toxic about Christ-like masculinity so embrace it boldly and confidently. A big part of the reason why the world is in the state that it’s in spiritually has everything to do with how we as men have allowed ourselves to be marginalized. That must stop and the best way to stop it is to… Act like men, be strong. And let all that you do be done in love. Amen!