Calling men of courage

What is courage?

Courage is a quality that society has defined very broadly in this day and age. While courage is a trait found in both men and women, it is especially necessary among men – but are today’s men truly courageous?

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, I find the difference among translations to be very interesting. In several translations, it reads, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” However, in a handful of other translations it reads, “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

The fact that “act like men” and “be courageous” can be interchanged suggests to me that they are synonymous. God is calling us to be men of courage but, again, what is courage?

I think that today we have loosely translated courage as doing something that is intimidating, but biblically, that is inaccurate. We call people like Michael Sam and Jason Collins courageous because they are the first active professional athletes to emerge as openly gay, but is that true courage?

For those of you who have seen the movie “Courageous,” you may be familiar with the resolution that they adopt towards the end of the movie. Depending on where you are in your life’s progression, you can replace words like “wife” with “girlfriend” or “fiancé,” but I believe that this resolution defines what it means to be Godly men of courage.

“I do solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife and my children. I will love them, protect them, serve them and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home. I will be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me. I will bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength. I will train them to honor authority and live responsibly. I will confront evil, pursue justice and love mercy. I will pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect and compassion. I will work diligently to provide for the needs of my family. I will forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged. I will learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God. I will seek to honor God, be faithful to his church, obey his Word and do his will. I will courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for his glory.”

Men have distinctly different callings by God than that of women. Men are called to be protectors, providers, leaders, husbands and fathers.

If we address courage we must also identify the contrast – cowardice. To be a coward is to abandon loved ones, belittle them and let them down. Cowardice is a harsh word, a grudge or unfaithfulness.

Men who abuse their wives are cowards. Men who do not support their family are cowards. Men who do not lead their families are cowards. Men who think of themselves first are cowards.

Being a man of God is a serious and humbling calling. It is not to be taken lightly, yet it is eternally fulfilling.

Act like men; be courageous.