“I can’t stand wimpy men!”

I’m quoting my wife here. I giggle whenever I hear her share that sentiment. I mean, I totally agree, but there’s just something about those words rolling off the tongue of a reserved woman. If you don’t know her, you might be taken aback. In any case, she brings up a good point.

You might be saying, “Who cares about what your wife thinks!” I’d respond to you by saying, while her opinion ultimately really doesn’t matter, her emotions aren’t incongruous with the Word of God. In fact, taken in the context of our current world, her disgust is justified. I imagine it stinks being a woman surrounded by a bunch of wimps. I suppose it elicits feelings of insecurity, of feeling unprotected by those who should be standing guard.

Jesus Christ is often referred to as The Lion and the Lamb. It’s a wonderful way to think of Him because while He’s unconquerable (remember, He chose the Cross, He conquered death - 2 Timothy 1:10), He’s also as gentle as a lamb (John 1:36). The closer any man is to being these things simultaneously, the more Christlike he is.

The problem with most men is that they like to beat an empty chest. In fact, most talk without any action. They are vapid - mere vessels lacking the grace, love, power, and discipline to get beyond their own selfish desires. ”For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). The word timidity in v7 refers to a cowardly, shameful fear caused by a weak, selfish character. Does that sound anything like Jesus Christ? Not my Lord. In fact, it sounds like the exact opposite of Him. Let’s call that kind of man a “wimp” for the sake of this blog. And by the way, that’s the kind of man that my wife can’t stomach. She says they make her skin crawl. I understand.

You might say, “Your wife sounds judgmental.” My response is that you have a right to your opinion; nonetheless, she has a right to her own thoughts (by the way, she won’t know I wrote this until it’s published). It just so happens that while her expression may not be perfect, strictly speaking, her heart is good. And she’s not alone at all, far from it.

There’s really nothing attractive about wimpy men. In fact, to a godly woman, they are repulsive. Why? Because a godly woman’s standard is her true Husband, Jesus Christ. Even so, let’s not make this about my wife’s sentiments. Let’s do something much better. Let’s ponder some Holy Scripture.

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
— 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Only a man after Jesus’ own heart can abide in the above commands. A wimpy man never will, for he is too self-absorbed, too preoccupied with himself to serve the Lord this way. True men of God are, above all, His servants. Wimpy men serve themselves, fight for themselves, and only appear to be fighting for others when it’s convenient for them.

One of the things I love most about God is that He makes a point of proving these things to us, through testing. He does this for our benefit. While He already knows our constitution, or lack thereof, He makes a point of proving to each of us where we stand on the continuum between wretchedly wimpy and The Lion and the Lamb. In other words, He’s never satisfied with our own estimation of ourselves, for there’s a good chance it’s set too highly. The problem with wimpy men is that they lack the constitution to withstand godly criticism, so they persist in playing pretend, if at all.

We find out an awful lot about ourselves under pressure. This is one of the greatest blessings of all - being humbled through trials.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
— Romans 5:3-5

Even Jesus was tested. In a sense, His Father said to Him, “Time to man up, my Son!” Consider the hours before His crucifixion. Look at His incredible response to pressure.

And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
— John 12:23-28

Do you see it? I truly hope so. If there ever was a “man up” moment in human history, it was surely then. Remember, Jesus’ crucifixion wasn’t a sudden event for Him. He knew what He’d have to endure long before the event, itself - all for the sake of others. He wasn’t weak, selfish, or timid about it. He was loving, powerful, disciplined. These are the characteristics of a man of God. Is it fair to say that He’s the furthest man from wimpiness? I think so.

“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
— John 10:17-18

So let’s get this straight. Jesus knew that He was about to be murdered (unlike most murder victims) and He still chose to pursue that route wholeheartedly? Yup. To echo His words once again, “what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” While they may not be as magnanimous as the Cross of the Messiah, we all have our own crosses to bear. This means that we all have a real purpose in this life. Let us not forget this. Let’s not wimp out under pressure.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
— Luke 14:27

At some point in every man’s life, he must make a decision - God ensures it. Will I serve God and fulfill my purpose, or will I fail the test? Will I be a wimp, or will I man up?

I’m not commissioned to tell you what your cross is, as a believer, only that you have one. I’m not trying to shame anyone into acting like a man, only that the Bible says to act like one. I’m not supposing anyone of us will ever be able to mimic our Lord’s strength, only that the same God that empowered Him empowers us. “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Believe it or not, I’m actually trying to be encouraging, not discouraging. I’m actually writing this for your benefit, not mine. If you’re a wimpy man, then what can I say to you, other than, “Man up”? Wouldn’t most of you men out there rather hear that from me than from my wife???

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins