Act Like a Man

A classic song by Isaac Watts entitled "Am I A Soldier of the Cross" has captured my attention while reading a biography of D.L. Moody. This song is rooted, according to Watts, in 1 Corinthians 16:13; "Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong." (HCSB). 

I'm captured by this song mostly because of its reflective strength within my spirit. The First and final verse (isn't that how hymns are supposed to be sung?) speaks to the duty of proclamation upon the follower of Christ.

v.1  Am I a soldier of the cross,

       A foll'wer of the Lamb?

       And shall I fear to own His cause,

       or blush to speak His name?

v.4 Sure I must fight if I would reign,

       Increase my courage, Lord:

       I'll bear the toil, endure the pain

       Supported by Thy Word. 

Was Isaac Watts writing this song to men? When I look at the Scripture text he claims to have used as background text, it does seem to fit that this is a song written to men. So if that is the case, men, 'act like a man' and be a soldier of the cross.

I mean no disrespect at this point (or at any point for that matter) but where are the men in the church in America? This song was a favorite of D.L. Moody and seems to have been a regular theme of this second great awakening in our land. Leave the song aside and look at the Scripture again and look at the landscape of our churches today. Paul was not telling women to 'act like a man.' Where are most of the men? Who's doing the teaching? Who's leading the music? Who's taking up the offering? Who's meeting the needs of the orphan and widow? Who's doing the preaching? Who's going on mission? Are we soldiers of the cross? I'm praying (like others I trust) for a fresh awakening in our land, I'm calling out the call to the men in our church to stand up and 'act like a man.' There is an equal need to call out the women to act like a woman; however, this is not a article about if a woman could or should, this is an article calling out the men. (at this point, I do wish to express my awareness that there are men doing these things with brave boldness, and I do not wish to diminish the courageous behavior of women, I'm simply raising the question.)

(SIDE NOTE: I enjoyed reading Isaac Watts' explanation of why he wrote songs, he was tired of the ones being sung in his day (this was met with opposition) so he wrote new ones that were fresh.)