1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.

From the modern viewpoint, this admonition seems almost contradictory. In the first place, where the NIV says “be men of courage,” the Japanese says, “be like men,” that is, be manly. Some people today like to talk about “toxic masculinity,” insisting that just being a man is a detriment to society, but Paul wouldn’t have understood that in the least, because it is contrary to fact. At the same time, he says, “do everything in love.” By modern standards, that seems to fly in the face of “be masculine!” However, God’s definition of masculinity includes love, because God Himself is love. (1 John 4:8) People who talk about “toxic masculinity” create a straw tiger that God never designed. I have recently enjoyed watching numbers of videos by Nick Frietas, who in my opinion is an excellent example of a strong, loving man – who also happens to have an excellent sense of humor! He is unapologetic about standing for God’s truth, and as a former Special Forces operator, he certainly fits several definitions of strong. At the same time, it is very clear that he loves his wife and children deeply, as well as loving America, and that love motivates the majority of all he does. Too many people want men to be passive, when that would be denying God’s template in creating men. (On a side note, He didn’t create women to be passive either, but modern society doesn’t attack women as much.) Strength of various kinds is part of how and why God created us, both men and women, and we need to exercise that to do His will and resist the devil. Love is an inescapable part of that, because the devil is in no way agape love, so exercising such love is the ultimate example of resisting him.

Physical strength has never been very high on my profile, but I find that people these days are surprised at the physical strength I have, given my age. Emotional and spiritual strength are characteristics the Lord has nurtured in me over the years, showing me that neither is automatic or to be taken for granted, any more than a novice could do a 100kg snatch-and-grab in weightlifting. I am to seek to exercise the strength God has given me to do His will, and always in love. (1 Corinthians 13) After all, Jesus said clearly that it is love that will mark us as His disciples. (John 13:35)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the various opportunities You have given me recently to express Your love. May I always do so accurately, as the man You created me to be, so that people may be drawn to You in repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!