For some reason the words may run into one another. I cannot solve this. Sorry. It's probably the influence of Chuck Norris scaring my words to huddle together. As you may have noticed from my blog postsof late the question of what it means to be a man is still wandering around myhead and occupying my spare thought capacity. What’s more I keeprunning into bible verses, sermons and other stuff that keeps the topic in mymind. In the providence of God I came across the following verse in my dailybible reading: “When the time drew near for David to die,he gave a charge to Solomon his son. “I am about to go the way of all theearth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man,” 1Kings 2 v 1 – 2 These are David’s final words to his sonSolomon. And I love them as they essentially read: Son, I’m about to die, manup. But the question we must immediately ask is what did David mean by this?Fortunately he goes on to explain things to his son: “So be strong, act like a man, and observewhat the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decreesand commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do thisso that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” 1Kings 2 v 3 If we look at this closely we come acrossan amazing truth on how God views manhood… Tobe a man you must walk in obedience to God This is how the Bible defines manhood. Thisis what man was created to do. There are no other criteria for being a man. Itdoesn’t matter how far you can spit, how much alcohol you can consume, thenumber of girls you bed, your physical strength, your talents, your gifts, yourjob, your income, your car, your deodorant (yes, Lynx, I’m looking at you!) orany other worldly measure. The one and only biblical requirement forbeing a man is that you walk humbly with God and in obedience to him. And thereverse of this is also true. What makes a man a sissy? When he does not followGod in obedience. I’ll never tire of quoting Joshua 1 v 9 sohere it is again: “Be strong and courageous. Do not beafraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whereveryou go.” Joshua1 v 9 To be strong and courageous is to obey Godand walk in his ways. To be weak and cowardly is to despise God and disobeyhim. Sin is always the path of the cowardly. And yes, I pick the coward’s pathso often. Only the other day I was in my philosophy tutorial and there werenumerous opportunities for me to present a biblical worldview but I wimped out.I have only just got round todeleting my pirated (read: stolen) music collection. My impatience is often anembarrassment to me, I speak when I should be silent and am silent when Ishould speak. I’m self centred, proud and idle. And the point is that these detract from mymanhood. These make me less of what I should be. These flaws get in the way ofwhat it means to be a man for to be a man I must obey God. There is no higher fulfilmentin being a man than to obey God. “Now all has been heard here is theconclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is theduty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes12 v 13 In his letter to the Galatians Paul writes: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the fleshwill reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit willreap eternal life.” Galatians6 v 7 – 8 The results of failing to be a man arealways tragic. For God cannot be mocked. Sin always exacts a price. Being asissy will always lead to greater pain, hurt, despair and unhappiness thanmanning up and obeying God. A quick browse through Proverbs will illustrate thispoint: “for though a righteous man falls seventimes, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.” Proverbs24 v 16 “The righteous person is rescued fromtrouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.” Proverbs11 v 8 “Be sure of this: The wicked will not gounpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.” Proverbs11 v 21 Finalthoughts A real man is someone who hears God’s Wordand acts upon it. A sissy is a man who ignores God’s Word and refuses to act onit. It’s that simple. What is not so simple is how we achievemanhood. How do we step up to the mark and be a man? Where do we find ourstrength and courage? If we are to resolutely gird ourselves with manhood howdo we go about it? The answer is too long for this post. ButI’ll do another one and I think I’ll call “The Ultimate Secret to Being a Real Man” Until then take a read of this if you thinkyou’re already pretty manly and think about raising your game: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001093.cfm
1 Comment
3/2/2011 03:38:17 am
Simply brilliant. A crystal clear example of what it is to be a Godly man.
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