Biblical Manhood
The world loves to define manhood. It gets thrown at us daily not only from our mind but from our family, friends, jobs, activities, entertainment, advertisements, etc. Many of these definitions are destructive and are often changing. So, we must ground what manhood is by the truth of God’s Word, which does not change and is always good. This is a vast topic, with many books written on it. But let us look at a specific passage in scripture that gives us some guidance to self-reflect on regarding our own lives.
Paul addresses the idea of a “man of God” twice in his letters to Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
1 Timothy 6:11–14 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
What a wonderful title to be known for – A man who personally belongs to God. I can think of no greater identity. God is the rightful owner of this man. Meaning he does not belong to this world or anything in it. This idea that God is the rightful owner applies to all who have repented of their sins, placed all their faith in Jesus Christ, and received Jesus as their Savior and committed to following Him as their Lord (Mark 1:14-15, John 1:12). For those that are His have been purchased by a price and their lives are no longer their own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 2:20). But when we allow anything of this world to seep into our heart and mind, our belief and understanding of Biblical manhood falters. So, Paul gives us guidance in (1 Timothy 6:11–14) on the character of a man of God for us to continually measure our life against.
1) A man of God is identified by what he flees from.
2) A man of God is identified by what he pursues.
3) A man of God is identified by what he fights against.
4) A man of God is identified by what he is faithful to.
[1] A man of God is identified by what he flees from. “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.” The language gives the idea of continually fleeing, being constant on the move away from. Paul wrote to “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18), “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14), and “Flee youthful passions” (2 Timothy 2:22). And in (1 Timothy 6:4-10) the previous context of “these things” are “controversy, quarrels, envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, constant friction, lies, ill gain, temptations, desires, love of money and sorrows”. If you are God’s man, then these things cannot rule in your life. If any of these things are in your life, do not let shame push you away from the Lord. He loves you and He proved it by paying the penalty for that very sin. Bring it before Him and ask for forgiveness and let Him restore you.
[2] A man of God is identified by what he pursues. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” If a man of God is continually fleeing from those prior things he must be headed in a direction and these are the things he should be continually running to. The Christian life is not just running from what is wrong, it’s running toward what is right. Righteousness: To do right, do right before man, do right before God; do right to man, do right to God. Godliness: Seeks to live in accordance with God’s will; Reverence for God. Faith: Confident trust in God for everything, loyalty to the Lord, unwavering confidence in God’s power, God’s purpose, God’s plan, God’s provision, and God’s promises. Love: Love to God, love to Christians, love to non-Christians; Agape love is shown by choice. Steadfastness: An unswerving loyalty to the Lord in the middle of trials; never wavering, never compromising, always trusting, always believing, whatever the circumstance. Gentleness: Projected outward by a heart of meekness, selflessness, or humility. Ask yourself, what do you pursue. What are you after in this life? What are you living for? What are you directing your goals and energies at? What occupies your mind? What goals do you want to attain? What are you after?
[3] A man of God is identified by what he fights against. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Paul talks of this in (2 Timothy 4:7) “I have fought the good fight”. But we are not fighting against man. Rather we are waging war with the ideas and schemes against our God. We are warring with the truth against error (Ephesians 6:10-12). We battle the things of this world, we battle our flesh, we battle the devil, we battle our sin. If you live a life as a man of God you will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12), the Christian life is not easy, and the world will hate you because it first hated Jesus Christ (John 15:18-19). Are you daily being prepared by putting on the armor of God? (Ephesians 6:10-18) The Belt of Truth – Breastplate of Righteousness – Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Shield of Faith – Helmet of Salvation – Sword of the Spirit – And Prayer.
[4] A man of God is identified by what he is faithful to. “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” A man of God keeps the revealed Word of God. Meaning he guards it in his heart and mind, he speaks it with his mouth, and he lives it with his life. This is not done in our power but by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (2 Timothy 1:13-14). Faithfully know the Truth of God’s Word so that you may faithfully declare the Truth and faithfully live that Truth. Why be faithful to this? Paul says because it is “in the presence of God, who gives life to all things”. When you keep the truth, and you do not waiver on the truth. You have the courage of your convictions, you live it, and you keep it. So that even if they kill you for it, God is watching and God is able to raise the dead. What can they do to you? Ultimately all they can do at the worst is usher you into eternity. So, do not compromise. In the sight of God, the all-seeing omniscient God who makes all things alive. He is not only the creator of life; He is the sustainer of life; He is the provider for life. He is the one who restores life through resurrection power.
This is a continual daily process. Decide today to be a man who personally belongs to God alone. It starts by surrendering everything identifying you that is not of the Lord.
References/Sources: esv.org, biblestudytools.com, John Macarthur sermons, blueletterbible.org, studylight.org, gotquestions.org