1 Corinthians 16: A Real Man

carpecollum@gmail.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:16:58 GMT

If you asked the average male for the definition of a real man, what might you expect? I'd expect words and phrases like macho, strong, steady, won't back down, knows what he wants, self-made, etc. If you asked a woman the same question, you might expect responses such as provider, protector, not afraid to cry, makes a decent living, good with kids, etc.

Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 16:13, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

"Act like men?" What does that mean? Surely it is helpful to see other contextual phrases such as "stand firm" and "be strong." Is that the macho definition of be a man? Are we talking Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Steven Segal? Well, Paul said it, so I guess we need to go out and buy guns and knives and get ready for action.

Except the very next verse (16:14) says, "Let all that you do be done in love."

How can you follow up the command to "act like men" with "let all that you do be done in love"? Aren't those contradictory? Absolutely not! Perhaps we have a warped notion of what acting like men is. Perhaps we have a warped notion of what LOVE is. Perhaps we need to come to an understanding of both of these concepts.

This is not the mushy, gushy, puppy love young people dream about. This is not physical attraction, holding hands in the park, eating ice cream together. This is God's love. This is love that takes hard work. This is sitting in the hospital overnight with people. This is driving hours to help someone in need. This is giving your last $100 for the month to someone who needs it more than you. This is opening your home to friends, neighbors, and strangers. This is your LIFE given to someone else.

Real men (and real women) love.

Love,
Nathan

Daily Bible Message

1 Corinthians 16: A Real Man