Love Makes a Man: A Biblical Perspective on True Masculinity

Love Makes a Man a Man: A Biblical Perspective

What does it mean to be a man? In our culture, the answer can vary widely depending on who you ask. Some might say that a man is defined by his strength and athleticism, others by his intelligence and success, and still others by his wealth and status. But what does the Bible say about what it means to be a man? According to Scripture, the answer is simple: a man is defined by his love.

The Surprising Nature of Biblical Love

When we talk about love, we often think of it as an emotion or feeling. We love our spouses, our children, our friends, and even our pets. But the love that the Bible speaks of is something much deeper and more profound. It is a love that is not based on feelings or emotions, but on a deliberate choice to put the needs of others above our own.

Jesus himself defines this kind of love in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” This is a radical kind of love, one that is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of others. It is the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated when he went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

But this kind of love is not just limited to Jesus. Throughout the New Testament, we see countless examples of men who were defined by their love. The apostle Paul, for example, wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that even if he had the gift of prophecy, and understood all mysteries and all knowledge, and had all faith so as to remove mountains, but did not have love, he would be nothing.

Love, then, is not just an optional add-on to the Christian life. It is at the very heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. As Paul writes in Galatians 5:13-14, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The Characteristics of a Loving Man

So what does it look like to be a man who is defined by love? Here are a few key characteristics:

1. Selflessness

A loving man is selfless. He puts the needs of others above his own. This doesn’t mean that he neglects his own needs or that he becomes a doormat for others to walk all over. Rather, it means that he is willing to sacrifice his own comfort, time, and resources for the sake of others.

Jesus is the ultimate example of this kind of selflessness. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:3-8, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

2. Courage

A loving man is also courageous. He is willing to take risks for the sake of others, even if it means putting himself in harm’s way. This kind of courage is not the same as bravado or recklessness. It is a courage that is rooted in faith and trust in God.

One example of this kind of courage is found in the story of David and Goliath. When the Israelites were facing the giant Philistine warrior, Goliath, no one was willing to stand up to him except for David, a young shepherd boy. David did not have any military training or experience, but he was willing to trust in God and face his fears in order to defend his people. As he said to Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” (1 Samuel 17:45).

3. Humility

A loving man is also humble. He does not seek to promote himself or his own interests, but rather is willing to serve others and put them first. This kind of humility is not weakness, but strength.

Jesus is again the ultimate example of this kind of humility. As he said in Matthew 20:25-28, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

4. Faithfulness

A loving man is also faithful. He keeps his promises and commitments, even when it is difficult or costly. This kind of faithfulness is rooted in a deep trust in God and a desire to honor him.

One example of this kind of faithfulness is found in the story of Daniel. When he was taken captive by the Babylonians, he refused to compromise his faith or his commitment to God. Even when he was thrown into the lion’s den for refusing to worship the king, he remained faithful to God. As he said to the king, “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:22).

The Importance of Love in Our Lives

So why is love so important in our lives as men? There are several reasons:

1. Love is the Greatest Commandment

As we mentioned earlier, Jesus himself said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). This means that love is not just a nice sentiment, but a command from God himself.

2. Love is a Fruit of the Spirit

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This means that love is not just something we do on our own, but something that is produced in us by the Holy Spirit.

3. Love is a Witness to the World

Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our love for others is a powerful witness to the world of the reality of the gospel and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

The Challenges of Loving Others

Of course, loving others is not always easy. We live in a fallen world, and there are many obstacles that can get in the way of our ability to love others as we should. Here are a few challenges that we may face:

1. Selfishness

Our natural inclination is to put ourselves first. We want to protect our own interests and pursue our own desires. But as we have seen, love requires us to put the needs of others above our own.

2. Fear

We may be afraid to love others because it requires us to be vulnerable. We may fear rejection or ridicule. But as Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

3. Pride

We may struggle with pride, thinking that we are better than others or that we deserve more than they do. But as Paul writes in Romans 12:3, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

Conclusion

Being a man is not about physical strength or intelligence or wealth or status. It is about love. As we have seen, a man who is defined by love is selfless, courageous, humble, and faithful. He puts the needs of others above his own, trusts in God, and seeks to honor him in all that he does.

Of course, none of us will ever love perfectly. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. But as we grow in our love for God and for others, we will become more and more like the men that God has called us to be.

So let us strive to be men of love, putting the needs of others above our own, trusting in God, and seeking to honor him in all that we do.