Biblical Manhood

If you were at Forge a few weeks ago, Pastor Pete laid down the gauntlet on what was expected of the men of Forge as it relates to Biblical manhood. If you weren’t able to hear his message in person, then give yourself a treat and watch it at Forgetruth.com.

The primary message shared was that Biblical manhood (pursuing godliness while retaining masculinity) is missing, and there is a need for godly men to help transform our churches and our families. The need for men to lead, protect, and provide – both physically and spiritually – is dire.

When I began to dig deeper in the subject of Biblical manhood, it occurred to me that Paul shares six virtues that men of God should pursue:

• Righteousness
• Godliness
• Faith
• Love
• Steadfastness, and
• Gentleness

A list that I believe fits well with Forge’s five marks of manhood:

• Purpose
• Character
• Confidence
• Legacy, and
• Identity

The imperative “pursue” is of course a present tense command. Every day we must follow after these important virtues that flow from our union with Jesus. Holiness is not just about abstaining from certain actions; it is about pursuing God, like a deer panting for water (Ps 42:1). We can’t just say no to sin; say yes to God.

More about the virtues…

FOLLOW AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteousness means possessing a right relationship with God and the people around us. Paul is not talking about the righteousness we receive from justification through Christ. He is talking about practical righteousness, i.e., the man of God should hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6). He should desire to live with honesty before God and honesty before people. For us, we need to be right with God and be fair and just in our dealings with our family, our friends, and others we interact with daily.

FOLLOW AFTER GODLINESS
For me, this virtue closely relates to righteousness. Godliness begins with a worshiping heart. In
Hebrews 12:28 it says: Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. Translation – men of God do not play around with sin; they kill sin. We must first pursue holiness before fervently pursing others with the good news of the Gospel. If you are anything like me, it is easier to shout about the thousand sins of others, than to recognize my own sin. Paul, and Pastor Pete, remind us that we must work diligently at becoming a clean vessel because we are God’s sword – His instrument to the world.

FOLLOW AFTER FAITH
Men of God, aka men of Forge, must trust God. We must live by faith knowing that living by faith is to live in a state of relaxed desperation. I remember my childhood pastor once stating, “Men of God are desperate because of the tremendous weight of responsibility such a ‘calling’ entails yet relaxed because of confidence in the sovereignty of God.” Indeed, a high view of God is absolutely necessary in our daily walk.

FOLLOW AFTER LOVE
Instead of youthful displays of bickering, impatience, and contentiousness, biblical manhood must include love. We must care sincerely for people if we are going to serve them. Of course, there will be times when you want to strike a few blows now and then, but we must refrain and remember the love that God had for us when we were unlovable. Allow those in and around your circle to see a manly example of genuine love for the body of Christ. Love them enough to wash their feet and love them enough to tell them the truth. Demonstrate a deep concern for the poor and the unreached peoples of the world, as well.

FOLLOW AFTER STEADFASTNESS
The man of God endures to the end. The word means, “to bear up under, or remain under.” The weight of living a God-centered life can be demanding, but by the Spirit’s help we must persevere. Remember that the goal of the called is a lifetime of faithfulness, not sporadic faithfulness. Obviously, there are times in which we will fall, and by God’s grace, get up again. However, we need to take the long view. Pursue longevity. Do not get carried away with big events that last for a weekend. Focus on the finish line, like Jesus who endured until it was finished.

FOLLOW AFTER GENTELNESS
Like leaders in the church, we should display gentleness not violence (1 Tim 3:3). This concept carries the idea of strength under control. It does not mean “weakness.” So, when the older lady comes up to someone like Pete ten minutes before the sermon and asks, “Why is the covered dish dinner not in the bulletin”, think before you respond. This is good council for the men of Forge as well. Do not use our Christian walk as a license to come down hard on unsuspecting individuals. Jesus coupled strength and authority with humility and meekness – a picture of godliness. We should do the same.

The contest for America’s (and the world) moral leadership continues to rage. Whether the church – and men of Forge – is willing and able to step up to its Biblical responsibility is still to be decided. For if we fail even the simple test of responding to human needs in our own communities, what possible claim will we have to assume a role of genuine moral leadership at home, in our churches, at our workplaces. We cannot fail.

Joe Bouch
FORGE Winter Springs