Imago Dei: Qualities of a Man and Father
1 Corinthians 16:12, (TLB), I begged Apollos to visit you along with the others, but he thought that it was not at all God’s will for him to go now; he will be seeing you later on when he has the opportunity. 13 Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; 14 and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love
1 Corinthians 16:13-14, (KJV) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14, (NKJV) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.
Paul presents something common to his culture. Men were often idealized. We’ve seen this in our culture with television shows long ago such as, “Father Knows Best.”
That said, children raised in a home with a loving and caring father also have an idealized view of their father. This is an authentic reflection of Imago Dei, the image of God. Children from these homes will children most likely see God in a better light. How parents live and treat their children and others is the strongest witness to the living God.
Imago Dei is the image of God. It is not the image of self.
The thing that looks like a weakness is a doorway into strength. Paul discovered the principle:
2 Corinthians 12:10, Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul was not trying to do “mind over matter” or trying to drum up PMA, “A Positive Mental Attitude.’ He had already learned from God:
2 Corinthians 12, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
Encouragement for Men and Fathers
- Meet Every Need (M.E.N.) - Be willing, God will give strength
- Pray and expect good and God
- Provide the best example, even when you make a mistake
- Love your wife and children with everything inside you and in your hand
- Instill confidence that anything is possible
- Only accept the best according to ability
- Don’t expect anyone to give you anything, be prepared to earn it
- Give more than you receive
- Always bring your “A" game, even when you are the only one who sees it
- Benefit your family before all others
- Give space to flourish, fail, and recover
- odel how to recover from failure and disappointment
- Surround your children with the values that you value
- Remember that love is unconditional
