Warning: This May Offend You

There are times when communicating God’s Word runs counter to popular beliefs. This message is one of those times. Now, what I’m about to write would not make the top ten most controversial messages from God. You may still somewhat disagree – does “somewhat disagree” even exist anymore? Our society seems to be in violent disagreement or violent agreement on any given topic.

Within this paragraph, I will quote a verse that may raise the hackles of some folk. By the way, hackles are the hairs on the back of an animal’s neck, which stick up when the animal feels fearful or angry. Hear me out on this. Here’s God’s Word: 

Be Servants

There, I hope you didn’t find that offensive. Strong Christian men need to teach and show this truth until men become strong Christian men. Somewhere along the transformation of our culture, men became prideful. Some prideful men became bullies, which led to confusing a strong man with a bully. 

At least in the New Testament, God hasn’t called men to beat people into submission. No, God has called men to be strong enough to be servants. They must be strong enough to take a beating that belonged to someone else, strong enough to be lied about, ridiculed, and demeaned, yet still love their oppressors. They must be strong enough to provide for their families and show Jesus to a cruel world. The Apostle Paul didn’t pen this next passage of Scripture from a five-star hotel.

Act like men, be strong

So, when the Apostle Paul wrote, “act like men, be strong,” he wasn’t just talking the talk; he was walking the walk. And now, more than any other time in our nation’s history, we need Christian men to be strong Christian men. Women deserve strong Christian men; wives deserve strong Christian husbands; children deserve strong Christian fathers; society deserves strong Christian male role models. 

I’m quoting from memory, so the words will be wrong, but the message will be correct. While in prison in Romania during the era of the Soviet Union, Pastor Wurmbrand was tortured for his faith. In his book, he made a fascinating statement. Again, quoting from memory, he said, “If you fear beatings, then have your wife take a broom handle and beat you. You’ll find that you can survive it. You should not fear it.”

Brother Wurmbrand was serious, and I know my wife is more than willing to give it a go. 😉 Still, I’ve not felt an unction from the Holy Spirit to ask her to test my ability. Even so, all Christian men must be strong men. Strong is not synonymous with muscular. It means not to melt when put in a flame (my words).

Being a man of God is a dangerous business

Jesus was crucified, John the Baptist was beheaded, Stephen was martyred, Paul was stoned and either was dead or was left for dead, James was executed, and the list goes on. Being a man of God is a dangerous business, but it’s God’s business. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). Jesus wasn’t murdered. He willingly took our punishment, so husbands do the same for their wives.

This message may not be popular, and it may cost me followers and raise your hackles, but it’s the truth of God. No man can fulfill his calling unless he is a committed Christian man. No married man can be a good husband unless he’s a committed Christian. No church can fulfill Christ’s purpose for her unless the church’s men are substantial Christian men. And no nation can fulfill God’s purpose without strong Christian men fulfilling God’s call on their lives.

Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash

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