“The most critical
need of the church at this moment is men, bold men, free men. The church must
seek, in prayer and much humility, the coming again of men made of the stuff of
which prophets and martyrs are made.”
A.W. Tozer
A
true hero died earlier this month but you’ve probably never heard of him. Other
than some Christian periodicals and websites, his passing went virtually unnoticed.
For twelve years he served as a missionary to Japan. That’s not why he was a
hero. For a time he was a headmaster of a well-known school in North Carolina. That’s
not why he was a hero. For twenty-two years he was president of a Bible
college. That’s not why he was a hero. Under his leadership, that Christian
college made major advancements in accreditation standing and faculty
development, growth in the graduate and seminary programs, the initiation of
radio ministry and the expansion of campus facilities. That’s not why he
was a hero. In 2010 he was honored for his decades of work in Christian
missions and received the 2010 Lifetime of Service Award from Missio Nexus. That’s
not why he was a hero. On June 2nd, Robertson McQuilkin went Home
the age of 88. Why was he a hero?
Robertson McQuilkin took his vows seriously.
His life challenged me. His story always brings tears to my eyes. After
serving as president of Columbia International University (CIU) for 22 years,
in 1990, Robertson McQuilkin famously chose to resign though he was just eight
years shy of his retirement. He resigned so he could care for his wife, Muriel,
who had Alzheimer’s. His resignation speech is a classic godly example. Even
today he still inspires many around the world on what it means to be a man, a
husband and committed to his marriage.
In
his resignation he said: “I haven't in my
life experienced easy decision-making on major decisions, but one of the
simplest and clearest decisions I've had to make is this one, because circumstances
dictated it. Muriel now, in the last couple of months, seems to be almost happy
with me, and almost never happy when not with me. In fact, she seems to feel
trapped, becomes very fearful, sometimes almost terror, and when she can't get
to me there can be anger…she's in distress. But when I'm with her, she's happy
and contented, and so I must be with her at all times…It's not only that I
promised in sickness and in health, 'till death do us part — I'm a man of my
word. But as I have said, (I don't know with this group, but I've said
publicly), it's the only fair thing. She sacrificed for me for 40 years, to
make my life possible…So, if I cared for her for 40 years, I'd still be in
debt. However, there's much more…It's not that I have to. It's that I get to. I
love her very dearly, and you can tell it's not easy to talk about. She's a
delight. And it's a great honor to care for such a wonderful person.” And
he did, for the next 12 years, until the Lord took Muriel Home.
Today
it seems to be more confusing on what it means to be a godly man than perhaps at
any other time in history, at least in Church History. Young men are very
confused on what manhood is all about. Perhaps it’s because those of us who
should know better send the wrong message. We attain our values from a sinful world,
rather than God’s eternal Word.
Being
a godly man has nothing to do with being able to throw, catch, hit or even putt
a ball. One of the greatest athletes in Scripture was a big dude named
Goliath. Like many athletes, he ended up losing his head to his own arrogance.
One can be very talented, whether it be athletically, musically or even
academically and have zero character.
So
what are we modeling for our sons and grandsons when we’re on the edge of our
seats during a game, but are bored or can’t stay awake during worship? What are
we modeling when we know every iota of sports trivia, yet when it comes to
biblical truth we’re essentially illiterate?
Being
a godly man has nothing to do with business or financial success. God
was so impressed with the man on the cover of the Forbes of his day, the man ready to expand and tear down his barns
to build bigger ones, God called him a “fool” and took him out (Luke 12:13-21).
Nebuchadnezzar makes Warren Buffet look like a pauper. It wasn’t until he
realized everything he had was a gift from God, just as it is for you and me, that
he became a true success.
Being
a godly man has nothing to do with sexual prowess. King Solomon had a
miserable life though he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Jack Nicholson, one
of Hollywood’s most famous womanizers, in a recent interview, admitted how lonely
he is and dreads dying alone. Because we believe the Bible, as Christians we
must be unapologetically pro-life. Many miss that a biblical worldview of
pro-life starts before sex. We victimize children when we don’t model or
encourage a committed marriage. Children deserve more than a father whose wages
are garnished, has minimal visitation rights, lives in his parents’ basement,
and is flushing his life away playing Grand
Theft Auto, and whose idea of gainful employment is flipping burgers.
Being a godly man has nothing to do with
being sensitively spineless. Godly men have backbone. They step up.
They live out Joshua’s words, “as for me
and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). He spiritually
leads, even makes decisions. He initiates and is even willing to take heat, even
from his wife or children because what he believes is right ticks them off.
He’s responsible and dependable. He realizes God called him to be his kid’s father,
not their buddy. He doesn’t wait to take a stand until he’s pushed and pushed
and pushed, finally blowing his stack. That’s not leadership, courage or
maturity, and certainly not godliness.
Scripture
clearly lays out qualifications for godly men (1 Timothy 3:1-13; 2
Timothy 2:1-13; Acts 6:1-6) which be summarized in four words. Commitment. Are you clearly
committed to Jesus Christ? Different personalities express passion differently,
yet there must be evidence of a fire inside to know and obey the Lord Jesus. Conviction. Do
you have biblically informed convictions…about who God is, who you are, the
meaning of human history, the nature of the church, and especially the meaning
of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Are you learning what it means to be
transformed by the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2), to think biblically about
every dimension of your life (money, time, sex, family, recreation)? Competency. Do
you know God’s Word? Are you applying it to your life? Can you help others with
biblical counsel? Character. Are you becoming more like Jesus? Not perfection,
but direction. Do you exhibit self-control, hospitality, gentleness, a quest
for holiness? Are you selfless? Are you lovingly faithful to your wife and a
committed father?
I’ve known a lot of godly men like Robertson McQuilkin, sadly not
enough. This world is dying for godly men! Will you be one?
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