Welcome back to Character in Crisis.

As the scene unfolds, we find Dame Martha once again teaching through her life more than her words. She is willing to sacrifice all, and now Hugh is willing to do the same.

What I love about Hugh’s character is that he is able to quickly process the truth that leads to his convictions. He doesn’t hesitate to make decisions when he knows they are aligned with God’s truth. He is living out the manly truths of I Samuel 4:9 and I Corinthians 16:13-14,

Be strong, and quit yourselves like men…(don’t be slaves any longer to the enemy)…quit yourselves like men, and fight.  I Samuel 4:9

Watch ye, stand firm in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong. Let everything you do be done in love.  I Corinthians 16:13-14

The words “be strong” carry the idea of being courageously resolute—to grow firm or to prevail. The word “quit” is a little more interesting. The word means to exist, to happen, or to become. We see this word at the very beginning of creation—the earth was. It is also the word used when God breathes into Adam and man becomes a living soul.

In a day when so many men are no longer acting like men, this verse speaks volumes! Men need to watch, stand firm in their faith, and BECOME LIKE MEN! And, as they start becoming like a man, they must be strong! But the most important thing of all, Paul urges, is to do everything in love.

1 Samuel 4:9 uses the phrase ‘quit yourselves like men’ as a frame. This frame appears at the beginning and end of the verse to highlight the key idea: don’t be slaves any longer. Don’t be slaves to your past, your addictions, your anger, your fears, your perceived weakness; the media and childish video activities—BE A MAN—BE STRONG!

Becoming a man is not an easy exercise, nor does it come naturally. Manhood requires putting away childish things, as Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13:11,

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo both reached great heights in their skill as artists. They were both trained in the educational philosophy of Agon. Agon is the philosophy of training the mind and body through the agonizing, relentless pursuit of excellence. This is what is required in becoming a man. This is what Hugh is experiencing! Yet he faces many challenges before him. What will happen if he cannot prove that in his veins flows noble blood? Will he need to face shame and rejection as part of his manhood journey? Certainly, David and Joseph had to face years of rejection in order to become the men they needed to be! While no one has the same assignment, all will be tested—and that is why the Lord leaves us with 1 Samuel 4:9 and I Corinthians 16:13-14, so that we may be strong, act like men, and do everything in love.

Thank you for joining me on this most important topic! Molly will be back next week with more insight into Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince. If you have a moment, I invite you to take a look at the stories below—they are the making of a man!

Blessings,

Mark Hamby, M.S., M.Div., Th.M., D. Min.
President
www.lamplighter.net 
 
If you agree that it’s time to put away childish things and start reading (for readers are leaders!) take a look at the following titles:
 
Trusty and Bully Blare
Little Sir Galahad 
Fireside Readings Vol 1, 2, and 3
Courage of Nikolai
The Story of Charles Olgilvie 
Wanderer from Africa 
The Captive
Phil Tyler
Ned Franks Trilogy (includes One-Armed Sailor, Sheer Off, and Silver Keys)