Today’s text is especially for men and I would like to ask: have we properly performed the role of men of God? Or are we disrespecting and not caring for the people around us?
This is very important to talk about this topic, because many of us men do not understand what it is to be a man of God and end up acting in the way they think is best.
Shall we talk about?
A man loves!
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.“
1 Corinthians 16: 13-14
One thing I find interesting about this passage is the way Paul talks about love. He doesn’t just tell us to love one another, but he tells us to do everything with love.
But what’s the difference? The principle itself is the same, but the big difference is the verb “to do”. We can often think that love is just a feeling and that there is no need for anything else. However, it is extremely important to understand that love comes with actions.
If we love Christ, we act as one. It should likewise work with the people around us. The Lord told us to “love others as we love ourselves”, right? Therefore, we must do all things with love. Okay, but why are we talking about this specifically about men?
Often, we men try to portray the image of someone strong, brave, alpha male and we forget that it is also possible and necessary to be kind, to take care of people and to welcome them. The Lord has forged great male leaders and in them we can see a love and care for others.
Noah took care of his family, Abraham taught his children in the way of the Lord, Paul, however much he seemed to be a rigid man, showed a gigantic rational love for the brothers he took care of. What greater example of firmness and love than Jesus? We need to discern the moment of being strict with those in need and being loving and caring.
A man respects!
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
1 Peter 2:17
We cannot talk about love and fail to talk about respect. These are two things that are extremely connected. Respect will not exist if love is not present.
But why are we talking about this? I would like you to think with me how many cases you have not seen, inside churches, of men disrespecting their wives, their children and their brothers in Christ? Unfortunately it is very common to see men who claim to be servants of God, disrespecting and mistreating their wives.
I learned to deal with things in my life, just as we must deal with sin. When we are going to do something, we must ask ourselves why we are doing it and what the Lord would do in our place.
If Jesus appeared in front of you, young teenager, would you treat him the same way you treat your mother? Or if Jesus appeared in front of you, a married man, would you treat him the same way you treat your wife? Respect is extremely important in our lives. However, it is useless to want to be respectful if we don’t love people.
A man protects and cares!
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:12-15
It is interesting how all things are connected and all are intertwined. Likewise, we will never care for or protect anyone if we do not have love and respect for that person.
These days I saw a very interesting post on Instagram. He tells of a boy of about 5 or 6 years old, who defended his younger sister from a dog and was extremely injured. When we have love for someone, we don’t think twice about protecting that person from attack or anything bad.
However, this is often limited to the people we know and the people who are close to us. So, I would like you to remember what Jesus did for you. Jesus gave himself up and died for people who didn’t even know Him, people who didn’t even exist yet, and for people who hated or hated Him. None of this was a reason for Jesus to think twice before obeying the Lord.
So don’t just love, respect, guard, protect and care for the people who are close to you, but everyone around you. We men need to understand that, as ambassadors for the King, we need to carry his Word and his Love wherever we go. People need God and people need people with God’s character.
Let Christ shine, man!
