One of my many favorite scriptures is in 1 Corinthians 16:13,14, Paul writes, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, ACT LIKE MEN (emphasis mine), be strong. Let all you that you do be done in love."
Where are the men in the church? Have you ever asked yourself that question? When I was a new believer it didn’t take me long to figure out that very few men attend church. It really didn’t matter what part of the country I was in, or for that matter where in the world I was living in at the time, it was the same everywhere. Why is that? Why won’t many men attend church? Guys, have you ever heard that church is for pansies? Or maybe you’ve heard real men don’t need church or God? It’s just a crutch for the weak-willed…
Most of the impressions we have of Christ are of a soft man, aren’t they? You see paintings or sculptures of a limp-wristed Jesus patting the children on the head with an almost feminine expression on his face. Misquoting scripture that talks about turning the other cheek or the incorrect view that when a man becomes a believer in Jesus Christ that he all of a sudden becomes a wimp! But is this biblical? No, far from it! The Jesus of scripture certainly was comforting toward others; he embraced children and blessed them and told us we should be like children when we approach God as in Matthew 18:1-3 and Mark 10:13-16.
But the Jesus of scripture also confronted to Pharisee’s to their face as in Matthew 23, fashioned a whip and chased out those who were making the temple a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12,13). He wept over Jerusalem, touched the leper and had compassion toward those who he ministered to. Jesus truly was a mans, man. Granted Jesus was the only one who lived a perfect life and no one else could, but those He calls, He calls to follow Him.
Most men in today’s church leave the teaching of God’s word to their families to others. Men, God has called YOU to be that priest and prophet of your household. In Old Testament times, the priest went to God on behalf of the people and the prophet went to the people on behalf of God. What am I trying to say? Do you pray for and with your family? Do they hear you cry out before God? Do you teach them and live out God’s Word in front of them? If they don’t see you living out the Christian life, what would make you think they would want to become a believer? As children we learn right and wrong from those around us. Our behaviors, our language, what we think is right or wrong. Do as I say, not as I do, will not work. This is just an excuse to justify what we do.
Some men are just afraid to take the lead and I can certainly can understand that to a certain extent. Maybe you’re a new believer, maybe you don’t know the Word of God well. These things take time and effort. It’s important to sit under men that can accurately teach you God’s Word. God calls every believer to study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15) it’s not an option; if I don’t know the Word I certainly cannot teach others, especially my family. And I did say men, God has not called women to pastor, teach or lead men as clearly outlined in 1 Timothy chapter 2:12-14; chapter 3 and Titus 1 which is directed only to men.
Men have refused to take the lead in the church and the Body of Christ has suffered greatly for it. It’s time for true men of God to speak up and take the lead as God intended. Women pastors, homosexuals in the choir, so-called bishops abusing women in their churches, congregations being bilked out of their money, ministers even denying the deity of Jesus; enough is enough!!!
Paul, in closing 1 Corinthians gives the church 5 final commands; to be alert, firm, mature, strong and loving.
Be alert men! Watch what is happening in your family and the body of believers. Keep an eye out for false doctrine, keep and eye out for those sharks in the church who are trying to seduce every woman they can, keep an eye out for those Jezebels who seek to destroy marriages and reputations. Be alert!
One of the problems in the church is that we have been so naive to think that everyone in church is a believer and respects and loves God. Not true! Sad to say, just as much sinning is occurring in the church as outside. Don’t fall asleep, be alert.
Be firm, mature and strong; I’m being general here but most women would feel safe and secure around a strong and consistent man. Not only physically strong, but character strong, with integrity. Men don’t be a wuss or a pansy; let those around you know they can count on you as a man of valor. There is nothing more disturbing to me than a feminized man who waffles through life, can’t make a decision; afraid to stand up for what is right or take the lead and mentor young people around him. Boys will learn to be men, from men and little girls need a strong male around so they can know what a REAL man is and one in whom they can feel secure. As much as I adore women, women cannot teach a boy how to be a man, it has to be another man.
And finally the balance is that let everything you do be done in love. Discipline can hurt but those you are disciplining need to know it’s out of love, not out of vengeance or something else. I have been corrected many times, but the time’s that stick in my mind are the one’s where I had someone come back to me and tell my why they did what they did. That’s the difference, love!
Be equipped man of God! Where do I get equipped, the Word! 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching; for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." So true men of God, stop being a wuss and a pansy! Be a real man!!!
Miguel
