What if we've been wrong about the problem in Christian men? What if the number one way that Christian men fail to model the character of Christ is not that we are lustful? What if it is not anger? What if it is not laziness or workaholism? What if it's not lack of Bible study? What if it can't be solved by memorizing Scripture? What if these are just symptoms of a core disease that rots our insides, and makes us completely incapable of getting anything truly right?

What if our real problem is our inability to love each other unconditionally, because we've never truly understood that Jesus loves us unconditionally? Let's admit it, at work as well as in our private lives, we associate with others based on what they have to offer us, and we expect others, we expect God, to do the same. At work, I make the majority of my decisions based on what will enable me to do a good job, and what will enable me to earn more money. This seems to make good business sense, but it doesn't stay at work. There's a family at church whose names I've never learned, all because I can't imagine anything they can offer me. How sick am I?

Jesus chose to spend time with, and invest Himself in people who had nothing to offer Him, who had nothing to offer society. Jesus chose me, even though I have nothing to offer Him. And though I have certainly been involved in serving Christ, wholeheartedly and passionately, I would have nothing to offer if it were not for Him first investing in me. Perhaps this is how Jesus wants us to respond to those who have nothing to offer us, both in our private lives, and at work.

Another question I have, which I need to think through a bit more later, is...are we, as Christians, more interested in spreading our way of thinking, or introducing people to Jesus? Which is more important: being right or treating people the way Jesus did? Can we do both?