What is a man...a godly Man?

 

“Men are not born masculine, they need to learn it. Specifically, they learn it by examining the Scriptures, looking to the example of Jesus Christ and following the examples of other men.”  Randy Smith

 

  There’s been an ongoing cultural debate on “What is a woman?” Yet, a more vital question for the Church is: What is a godly man?
  One of most maligned positions today is that of a man. Too often the Church hasn’t helped. We’ve settled for mediocrity and failed to encourage men to be mature, godly examples. The outcome is what Dale Partridge describes as a “surplus of boys with beards.” We’ve accepted extended adolescence, machismo for maturity and a rationalization that addiction is normal whether it’s sports, video games, substance abuse or porn.
  In a culture lacking clarity and sanity about manhood, this is where God’s Word becomes our lifeline. The Bible is filled with examples of men of character. None were perfect but they were committed to a godly direction.
  The best example of biblical masculinity is Jesus Christ. What does a real man look like? Who should be our model for healthy manhood? The answer is the Lord Jesus. The Christ of the Bible is the perfect representation of true masculinity. Our world needs men who not only live by Christ’s teachings, but imitate the example of how He lived His life. That example can transform us individually, and our society as a whole!
  Godly men prepare themselves for manhood in their youth. Though the Bible provides few details about the childhood of Jesus, we do have enough details to know that the young Jesus was focused on His education and preparation for adulthood. Luke records, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). That didn’t just happen. A young Jesus studied and applied Himself. We see an example of this when He stayed behind in Jerusalem after Passover. His parents found Him “in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). Christ’s example for young men is to take preparation for adulthood seriously in your youth. Don’t fritter away your early years by playing video games or watching movies. Be focused on your future and preparation needed to achieve your goals.
  Godly men work. Christ’s life was an example of work and productivity. In His adult life He had two primary occupations—carpenter and teacher. His young adult years were spent working in the carpentry profession, learning the profession from Joseph (His stepfather) and probably working in a family business with His physical brothers. After about the age of 30, Jesus transitioned into a teacher and spent the rest of His physical life traveling across the area preaching, teaching, healing, training His disciples and working with individuals one-on-one. Jesus’ life was so active and productive that there wasn’t room in the Gospels to record all He did (John 21:25)! His example for men today is a strong work ethic. Godly men don’t linger in a childhood immaturity focused on entertainment, inactivity and laziness—they grow up and work. They work to support themselves (and eventually their families) and have a drive to be creative and productive.
  Godly men respect women. Jesus Christ lived in a society that had little regard for women. He stood out as a Man who treated women with honor and respect. He spoke to women publicly, even when it was taboo to do so in the culture of His day. He highlighted women’s actions as lessons for others to follow. Jesus showed concern for women who were suffering. He honored and respected His mother even when He was suffering and dying.
  A man living out biblical masculinity doesn’t use degrading language to describe women. His example for men today is to respect all women and treat them with honor. Many men—influenced by music, pornography and movies—view women as sex objects. Using derogatory words for women is common in contemporary music, media, and in some male-only conversations. Godly men have nothing to do with this but are committed instead to treating women as Imago Dei with dignity, honor and respect.
  Godly men love and care for children. Though Jesus had a busy schedule, He didn’t consider anyone a waste of His time—especially children! Parents brought children to Jesus for Him to bless. These parents knew that He loved children and would set aside time for them. In fact, Jesus rebuked those who interfered with that time! He frequently healed children of ailments and interacted with children with love and gentleness.
  Christ’s example for men today is not to ignore children, but to pay attention to them and protect them. A godly man doesn’t lustfully impregnate women only to abandon them to care for children alone. He chooses one woman to love and marry and then brings children into that solid, loving, committed family relationship.
  Godly men control themselves. Jesus Christ experienced temptations to sin just like we do, but resisted every time. He never sinned. Hebrews tells us that He “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He never allowed desire and lust to conceive in His mind (James 1:15). He resisted and denied sinful thoughts. Our Lord was Spirit-controlled and governed Himself by a moral code based on God’s Word and never deviated from it. He exercised perfect self-control, a fruit of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:23). His example for men today shows that they shouldn’t be driven by urges, what feels good or is convenient. This world needs men who govern themselves by the same biblical truth Jesus had.
  Jesus is the perfect example of balanced and biblical masculinity. Everything written about Him in the New Testament is a model for men. Countless practical points can be derived from His life and teachings. For  biblical masculinity to be restored, Christian men must model their lives after His perfect example. Jesus Christ demonstrated the perfect balance of masculine strength with gentleness and care. He was a leader and also a servant. He was incredibly bold and also caringly gentle. He worked hard, loved all people and never deviated from His mission.
  Jesus Christ is the example we must strive to follow. He is the model of masculinity that Christian men need to pattern their lives after.

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

We lost more than the Boy Scouts

“Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy.”

  Recently, the Boy Scouts of America announced that the organization will begin accepting girls as members, thus ending their uniqueness. Many commentators have lamented the moral decline of the Boy Scouts, seen in the organization’s continued capitulation to the ideology of contemporary mores. Since its inception, the Boy Scouts offered a pathway from boyhood to manhood, a vision of the good life that brought together nature and nurture and lifting up a moral vision to be pursued and cherished.

  Spending time outdoors with others in community was a way of traveling the ancient path of wisdom and virtue. Wisdom: learning how to flourish by living according to the grain of the universe. Virtue: choosing patterns of life that lead to the development of moral intuitions and character growth.

  The Scouts offered a way for boys to track their progression toward the fulfillment of an idealized manhood. All the knot-tying and skills-learning were primarily about bringing yourself in line with the way the world works. It was about preparing and becoming a man, a man of character.

  Today’s culture overflows with examples of “boy-men”– men who live in perpetual adolescence, never quite outgrowing juvenile behavior. Achievement today is mastering the latest video game, winning at beer pong, or sexual triumphs. Earlier generations of men achieved the traditional benchmarks of masculine maturity via marriage, parenting, stable employment, and a completed education by their twenties.

  Very few do that today. Over the past several years, there have been a number of studies conducted where thousands of women were asked what traits come to mind when they think of the typical man today. Commonly used labels weren’t complimentary. They used terms like: Narcissistic, Perverted, Emotionally stunted, Deficient in communication skills, Unreliable, Afraid of commitment, Lazy. The typical profile of a 25-year old man today is drastically different than it was in past generations.

  We could bemoan this, criticize and even ridicule young men…or we could do something supremely biblical. We censure the next generation for being irresponsible, so why don’t we determine to take responsibility to help the next generation in our midst? As a church, we can be part of the solution. We must seek to encourage redemptive manhood. It’s an ancient path that hasn’t gone away. It includes wisdom and virtue, though showered by divine grace. This path is clearer and more appealing than ever. The One who walked it before us made sure that it was narrow.

  What can we do to give godly guidance to young men? There’s no magic formula. God must be at work in teaching us and our boys. It’s God that must be the one who causes them to grow (1 Corinthians 3:7), but we can plant and water. A vital way though that we can help the next generation is by first modeling for them what it is to be a man. So, what are some marks of maturity? In the Bible, maturity is always spiritual. It’s wisdom in knowing God and His will and applying it to your life (Proverbs 1:1-7).

  Each Christian man must determine to set an example by his own manhood. He must commit to be like Paul, who said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” That’s a big challenge and every man fails to live up to it at some point. In no special order, here are some traits that we must teach to boys to help them become men.

  Take responsibility. Boys run from responsibility; men run toward it. Men hold down a job, know what it is to be committed and act maturely. If he doesn’t, then he’s little more than a boy with a beard (Prov. 10:1).

  Have a backbone. Being a man means you must have the courage to take a stand for what’s right. It means speaking up for the powerless, defending the weak, fighting injustice and fighting for your family (1 Cor. 13:13).

  If you have a wife and family, provide for them. Your wife and children must know you’re willing to go hungry to make sure that they don’t. It’s not the government’s job to take care of them. It’s yours. There’s no shame in asking for assistance if you need it, but you must be willing to work hard and take an unfulfilling job to take care of your family (2 Thes. 3:10).  

  Control your emotions. Emotions are God-given. There are healthy and important ways to express them. Don’t be ruled by them. If you don’t learn to master anger and other emotions, they’ll master you (Prov. 29:11).

  Keep your commitments. Pay your debts, keep your word, and always speak the truth. When you’ve blown it, admit it and seek forgiveness. Don’t make your decisions based on your feelings; make your choices based on your commitments (Psalm 15:4).

  Trust God. God made you and His plan for your life is the only plan that counts. Don’t be foolishly prideful so that you try to do it on your own. Life is meant to be lived in relationship and dependence on Him. If you walk with Him, you’re always headed in the right direction! (Prov. 3:5-6).

  A godly man isn’t perfect. None of us will reach perfection until we’re in the presence of Jesus. A godly man though embraces manhood and knows that Jesus, not a lost world, sets the standard for what it means to be a man. He strives daily to model his life after Christ. He doesn’t excuse sin or weakness, but continually surrenders those areas to God and asks for His grace in overcoming them. Regardless of physical appearance, social status, or economic standing, each man can be a godly man if he loves God with all his heart and seeks to obey Him in every area of his life. 

  May God give us godly men and may God help us to help the young men in our midst to mature into being godly men! 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.