Act Like Men!

When Paul concluded his first letter to the church in Corinth, he challenged them to do something very specific. He challenged them to “act like men” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Our culture has done everything it can to keep men from acting like men. There has been an unmistakable attempt to feminize men. So it may sound strange to some people that Paul would tell the whole church (men and women) to act like men. What did he have in mind? The phrase has behind it the idea of bravery. Be brave. One noble characteristic of many men down through the ages has been bravery. Men who take risks to do what needs to be done regardless of the sacrifice required. Men who demonstrate boldness and strength. Men like Benaiah. He was one of David’s mighty men. We are told that among other things, Benaiah once went down into a pit and killed a lion. He did it on a snowy day. He should have had his picture on the first “No Fear” t-shirt. He was brave. He took the risk. Think of it. He went down into a pit with a lion. Advantage lion. He did it on a snowy day. Major advantage lion. He killed the lion. He did what needed to be done when it needed to be done. He did it with great courage.

Men, we need to ask the Lord to grant us the grace to act like the men that He made us to be. We need to live and lead with courage and bravery. We often stand down when we should be standing up. We need a renewal of the warrior’s spirit who does what needs to be done with courage. No complaints. No excuses. May God make us men who are not paralyzed by fear. May God make us men who are willing to face the devil even though he has the home field advantage. May God make us men who run toward the sound of the battle. We admire men like that. We need to become men like that. “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1) 

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