The other week a friend asked me a fantastic, vitally important question. It’s a question which I’m sure every guy wonders about, but which I’ve never heard anyone ask straight out before. It was this:
“What is a Godly man, anyway?”
So today, while meeting with my men’s leadership group over lunch in the cafe, I asked them the same question, and we discussed “What does the Bible say it means to be a man of God”
Below are the notes I took while we talked (and some supporting bible references I’ve added).
1. You have your Identity in being a man of God.
You don’t have your identity in what you do and how you perform. You start by knowing that you are man of God and then – because of that – you go on to do great things. (1 Tim 6:11-12)
2. You are God’s.
He has ownership of you. You live your life knowing that it is his. (Gal 2:20, Romans 8:14-17)
3. You have Integrity
Wisdom, knowledge. Being truthful. Not swerving from doing what is right. Knowing what you believe and doing it without compromise – without changing in any circumstance. Being the same on the inside and outside and in every place. (1 John 1:6, Matthew 5:37, Ephesians 4:25)
4. You visibly belong to God
‘Being a man of the cloth’. Being on display and people seeing that you are His. What you do and how you present yourself demonstrates that you are a man of God / club member. The appearance and benefits that go with it. (Ephesians 5:1-20)
5. You are alive to God’s purpose for you.
Have revelation about what life is about, and are pursuing God’s calling on your life not just any old thing. (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 2:9)
6. You are a man of faith
What is unseen and is true according to God’s word is more real to you than what you see around you, and you living accordingly (2 Corinthians 4:18, Hebrews 10:23, Hebrews 11:6)
7. You have Endurance
Not giving up or quitting, regardless of circumstance. Keeping going when it’s tought because of what you’re fighting for. Picking yourself up and getting going again when you fall or get it wrong. (James 1:2-4, Romans 15:4, Hebrews 10:35-36)
8. You take ownership
Taking responsibility for your life, your actions, your calling, relationships, family etc. Being able to carry responsibility faithfully – work life, personal life, ministry life. (Galatians 6:4, 2 Thessalonians 3:8-10)
9. You stand in authority
Knowing the authority you carry as a man of God and ambassador of Christ. (Luke 10:19, Ephesians 2:6)
10. You are bold and courageous
Not shrinking back from the tough situations, but stepping into them in God’s strength. (Proverbs 28:1, Joshua 1:9, Acts 4:31)
11. You are the head
Taking the lead and being the head. In family, guiding, nurturing + protecting your wife – not ruling harshly. Being like Christ in your household (Ephesians 5:21-33)
12. You sacrifice
Being willing to sacrifice and lay down your life – for God, for his mission, for your wife and family, for others. Laying down your life in a practical, everyday sense (e.g. your will, preferences, personal needs) not just being willing to die for someone. (Luke 9:23, 1 John 3:16)
13. You deal with conflict properly
Not shrinking back from conversations that need to be had, but confronting them head-on. Being willing to confess your faults and repent where necessary. Showing the initiative and making the first move. (Ephesians 4:15, Matthew 18:15-17)
14. You are fleeing sin and pursuing righteousness
Not pursuing sin or sinful desires. Seeking through God’s power to live a sanctified, holy life that is turning from sin and growing in godliness. (1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Timothy 6:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:22)