A godly man?
I can’t grow a beard and I have a voice that is possibly still breaking. When I go unshaven for a while I end up looking like animals are nesting on my face, and a disfigured caterpillar is sitting on my top lip. I certainly don’t feel like “manhood” is something I’m qualified to write on. Especially “godly manhood”.
But what is godly manhood? Is it in the characteristics of a ‘good bloke’? Does it involve making all the decisions? Being self-reliant? Taking charge and crushing all opposition, Samson style? Wearing a flanno? As Christian men, we are constantly torn. The world pulls and pushes us and tells us who/what we should or shouldn’t be. But we shouldn’t be swayed by what the world says. We must live as godly men in a godless and corrupt world, as God wants us to live.
To get help on this we need to look at what the Bible has to say about godly manhood. The books 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are written to young guys who are trying to live as godly men and leaders in an immoral, anti-God culture. Here are some of the characteristics that Paul sets out for these guys:
A godly man will... Read and know God’s word
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-17)
We have to know God’s word. How else can we expect to know how God wants us to live, and what He wants us to do? So here is the challenge... Read the Bible. Do it. Read it with other guys (Mondays 10:30 up near the chaplaincy). Read it on your own. Read it. We suck at this, we get busy and push the Bible away. This happens all the time but is something we must resist. Not reading and knowing God’s word will hinder us from displaying any of the other characteristics of a godly man.
A godly man will... Pray
I desire then that in every place the men should pray. (1 Tim 2:8)
We are nowhere near as self-sufficient as we think we are. We need God’s help always, all the time, constantly. So we need to pray. Pray on your own, pray in a group. We need to lead in prayer. God has given different people different roles to play in His church, and as godly men it is our duty to take initiative and lead in prayer. Pray with other guys (Mondays 10:30 up near the chaplaincy). Come to prayer meetings (Tue and Thur 8am up near the chaplaincy). Get together with friends to pray.
A godly man will... Be humble in leadership
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. (2 Tim 2:24)
Leadership is something that God has called us to take part in one way or another, not just in the obvious public ways. It could be just in speaking the truth in Bible study, or in taking initiative for prayer. But godly leadership should not be tainted by the world’s views of leadership. It’s not necessarily about taking charge, it’s not about getting things your way, and it’s not about having the loudest voice. It’s about serving. It’s about seeking to see others grow in their knowledge of God and their relationship with Him. It’s about teaching God’s word faithfully and gently and humbly helping and correcting people when they go wrong. It’s about looking out for those who are struggling. It’s about being patient when things are frustrating, and it’s about being loving to those who oppose us.
A godly man will... Be pure and above reproach
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Tim 2:22)
Treat ... older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (1 Tim 5:2)
We are all tempted. But we need to ensure that our lives are above reproach. We need to make sure that when faced with temptation, we flee, and I don’t mean walk or dawdle away. I mean run. Pray, leave the party, get out of the movie theatre, pray, take the DVD out of the player, ensure you are around people to keep you accountable, and pray. If we want to be godly men, if we want to be above reproach, we have to be radical.
Living as a godly man is hard. There is no denying that, and in this life there is no escaping that. But by God’s grace we can persevere. It’s my prayer that we will live as godly men in a godless world.
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