In today’s culture we seem to celebrate diversity; yet, there’s a huge effort to minimize the unique qualities of real men.
What the world needs today are real and authentic men. And it’s time for men of God to MAN UP and take back their families, their church, and their community!
The World’s View Of Man
There was a time in our country when men were held to a standard of principles based on God’s Word.
Unfortunately, today that is not the case. Society has dictated conflicting views of what being a man is.
Some say that being a man requires grit, square-jawed determination, a working knowledge of weaponry, and, preferably, rock-solid abs.
Others say that manliness is about getting in touch with one’s feelings, caring for the less fortunate, and being sensitive.
Others would include leadership skills, a good work ethic, physical stature, riches, or sexual abilities.
Can these things truly define masculinity, or is there another standard?
God’s View Of Man
To know what a true man is, you need look no further than the life of Jesus Christ.
As the Son of Man, Jesus is the epitome of manhood. He is the perfect example of what true maturity looks like.
Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and lived in complete dependence on and obedience to the will of God.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” ~ Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Men of God will show evidence of these works of the Spirit as well.
Our world is filled with many men, but few men that follow God. Click To Tweet
Our young boys need to see true men like Jesus, who are obedient to the Father’s will and is about His Father’s business (Hebrews 10:9).
Characteristics Of Real Men
When I say real men, I’m talking about men who come into the knowledge of Jesus Christ, who have renewed their minds and now take on the mind of Christ.
Men of God that take on the mind of Christ reflect the same unique characteristics of Jesus Christ himself. These characteristics include…
They love the way Christ loves. (John 15:12-23)
They lead as Christ leads. (John 10:11, 1 Cor. 13, Ephesians 5:25)
They forgive as Christ forgives. (Ephesians 4:32, Matt 6:14)
They show Compassion as Christ showed Compassion. (1 Peter 3:8)
They discipline like Christ Disciplines. (Hebrews 12:7)
They maintain their integrity. (Proverbs 20:7)
They show respect. (Romans 12:10)
They allow themselves to be accountable. (Proverbs 11:14)
What It Means To Man Up
When we come into the knowledge of who we are, it is then, that we must choose to put away our childish ways and man up.
“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13: 11 NLT
So how do men of God man up? We…
Man Up – By taking a stand for God and what we believe.
Man Up – By fulfilling our responsibilities as a man in our church and community.
Man Up – By leading our family and being the priest in our home.
Man Up – By leaving an inheritance of moral stability and Godly conduct for our children’s children.
Man Up – By exhibiting the example of such moral stability and Godly conduct, ourselves.
In The End
A real man isn’t a perfect man. He will never reach perfection until he’s in the physical presence of Jesus (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
However, a godly man will embrace his manhood and know that Jesus, not the world, has set the standard for what it means to be a real man.
Regardless of our physical appearance, social status, or economic standing, if we love God with all our hearts and seek to obey Him; we can choose to MAN UP right now, starting in our own homes.
So I ask you men of God, will you man up with me?
~André Gray
Love hearing the man’s point of view. I have asked a couple of men to start blogging.
Hi Rebecca, you are right. It has been hard for Andre to connect with other men who blog but God is so good to surround him with fathers and husbands who are Christ minded so he gets great input from them as well. Thank you for stopping by to read!
Thank you for this website. I was browsing the web looking for things for a Men’s bible study that I lead. I have been blessed and inspired by what I found here. I pray that it is OK to use your materials for a presentation to the Men in the group. I will also direct them to this site so they might take advantage of the material here in their personal lives. I know I will use it in mine.