I love to watch law enforcement TV shows. I particularly
enjoy the FBI series. Yet, I find that I frequently have to mentally tune out
producer Dick Wolf’s flagrant anti-Christian bias. It seems that he never
wastes an opportunity to belittle the beliefs and values of Christians. For
example, when the FBI: Most Wanted team entered a pedophile’s house
in a recent episode, it was full of religious items, implying that it was his
strict religious upbringing that turned him into a monster. What’s the point of
portraying a pedophile as a God-fearing Christian with Bible verses except to
sell an overused stereotype about evil hypocritical Christians?
Bashing Christians, particularly men, is the
latest cultural fad. Dr. Anthea Butler, the chair of the University of
Pennsylvania Department of Religious Studies says “a white evangelical man supports
racism, sexism and violence.” This caricature is one reason that I believe
we should abandon the term “evangelical” for something like “Christ-follower.”
Some Christians react to such slurs with anger,
returning tit for tat. That only plays into the hands of the Enemy. And none of
this is new. The early church experienced it, too. It’s instead an opportunity for
us to turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:39) and live out what Jesus has called us
to, a Christian Counterculture. We don’t live to be popular, but to please an
audience of One. Our confused world desperately needs godly men, whether single
or married. What does it mean to be a godly man?
You will never be a godly man unless
you know Jesus personally. There are many men of character, but to be
all that you can be, you can’t do it on your own. In a sense, as a pastor, I’m paid
to be good…but without Jesus, I’m a mess. I’m not as kind, patient, forgiving
or anything else that matters on my own. I need a power that I will never find
in myself. It’s why we need a cross and a Savior. Every man who wants to make a
difference and have his life count has the same need.
Because of that relationship with Jesus,
he is committed to being a person of character and conviction. It means
like Daniel, you pray even though it may mean a lions’ den. You don’t bow to
the rulers of this world like a Shadrach, Meshach or Abednego even if it means
a fiery furnace. It may mean refusing to wear a symbol of a movement that violates
your convictions even if it means being labeled “hateful” or a “bigot,” as five
Tampa Bay Rays players did. Yet, in the midst of the verbal assaults, you still
choose to be gracious and Christlike.
He’s considerate of the disenfranchised.
In a dog-eat-dog world driven by self-promotion, he proactively is kind,
thoughtful, and helpful to those who can’t benefit him like children, the
elderly, those with special needs, the poor…or just those who are different. He
notices, serves, and cares for those often ignored, treated with condescension, or
mistreated and abused.
He
has a strong work ethic. He takes personal responsibility. He doesn’t live
off of the government or his parents. He knows that any talent, abilities, and intelligence that he has is a gift to be used for the glory of God and a stewardship
entrusted to him by God. He’s not a workaholic yet has a biblical worldview of work,
seeking to turn the curse back into a blessing.
He
realizes that when we are faithful in our work, God supplies our needs. Scripture
teaches that those willing to work God’s way will be blessed. God’s plan is not
necessarily for us to amass great fortunes, but desires to meet our needs and wants
us to share His blessings with those who are in need. A godly man sees his work
as worship and trusts God to honor his faithfulness. Because of that, there is great
satisfaction with diligent work and a job well done.
He
is a spiritual leader. He’s a man of the Word and prayer. He sets an example
for his wife and children by keeping the main thing the main thing. While he
may enjoy sports or hobbies, they’re secondary to his relationship with God and
the needs of his family. He lives a balanced life.
He
is willing to be vulnerable. If he’s married, he’s a one-woman man,
even with his eyes and thoughts. He loves his wife and she’s secure in his
love and knows that he is faithful to her. He takes his vows seriously.
If
he’s a Dad, his children know that he loves them, yet he will hold them
accountable and direct their paths. He’s more concerned about them succeeding in
God’s eternal kingdom than being successful in this temporal world and making
him look good. Because he’s a man of the Word, he is a source of wisdom and
counsel not subjective opinions or pontificating. What can we do to cultivate
more godly men?
We must encourage them. Godly men are not highly valued today. Too
often, they’re disdained and considered out of touch. Even though they
struggle, even though they have not arrived, they need lots of encouragement. If
we don’t give it to them, they’re not going to find it out in a lost world. It must
come from their families and the family of God.
We
must let them know that they are respected. God wired men to need
respect. Ask any man if they had to choose which would they choose – love or respect.
The vast majority will choose respect, even over love. Yet, many men frequently
don’t receive respect at their jobs or in our world. Instead, because they live
by God’s plan they may be disdained or demeaned. There needs to be a place where
they know they’re respected. That place, in God’s wise plan, should be the home
and the local church.
Native Americans had a ritual for training young braves. On the night of a boy's 13th birthday, he was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then he'd never been away from the security of his family and tribe. But on this night he was blindfolded and taken miles away. When he took off the blindfold he was in the middle of a deep forest. He was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. Every time an animal howled, he imagined a wolf leaping out of the darkness. Every time the wind blew, he wondered if a storm was coming. After what seemed like an eternity, the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter amazement, he saw the figure of a man standing a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was the boy's father who had been there all night long!
Men, you’re not alone. Your heavenly Father is standing right next
to you, He’s the Dad you may have never had. As you trust and honor Him, He
will bless you. When you fail, which you will, your Heavenly Father will pick
you up, forgive you and give you the grace to carry on.
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.
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