1 Cor. 16:13

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

I hear this scripture nearly every week. It's the theme of the men's group I enjoy every Thursday morning at the CellularSouth Building in Ridgeland. But what does it mean to act like men?

Our culture tells us that men are strong, reliable, and tough breadwinners that play hard, work hard and, in many cases, live hard. Today's man is told that he's the only friend he needs. He's out to please himself and find his own pleasure. He has all the tools he needs to have a great life. He just needs to use them. He is the master of his own universe.

So, when a man of today becomes a man of God, what do you think he does? When he hears and reads "...but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13), what is his next step? He makes a "To Kill" list of sins and immoral behaviors and gets busy. Where's the error it that?

Look at the scripture above, again. Focus on the second phrase because it's often overlooked when men read this passage. We go straight to the end and see "be strong". The second phrase says, "stand firm in the faith". Faith in what? Who? Jesus Christ, of course. It's a simple thought but it's so overlooked by today's man attempting to journey with God. I know because I do it all the time.

I so easy default to having faith in my own abilities, strengths and intestinal fortitude. I'm so hesitant to drop my hands, bow my head, and pray that God takes hold of my circumstance and shapes the God-made creature that I am. If it's sin that's getting in my way, I'm ready to get out the axe and chop it down by using my own will and my own strength. Yet, it never seems to workout that way.

Likewise, when I face a test or crisis, I fight like hell to break out of the "net" that has me trapped. I'm ready to scrap with anything or anyone that's causing me pain and discomfort. Instead, In both situations, I should "be still and know" that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

To me, "be still" means to stop, take a deep breath, and just talk to God. It doesn't mean give up on redemption or growth. It doesn't mean give in to the sin that continues to tempt me. I think it means that I need to listen to the message that He's delivering in that moment and seek His purpose in the crisis.

It's so easy to say but so hard to do. It takes a real man to know that he is led by his Creator and Master. It takes a real man to stand firm in his faith in the one true God and Savior. When a man lives his life that way, he's no longer acting like a man. He is one.