Over the last few weeks @ HHC, Travis Hebert and I have been leading a class called the Art of Manliness.  Here are some thoughts on what it takes to be a REAL MAN.

Have you ever thought about what the role of a man is? Why did God create a difference between male and female? (apart from the obvious reasons) Is there a difference in the responsibilities between and man and a woman? What does the Bible say about how a man should act and live? Well, these questions led us to do a class on the Art of Manliness (God’s way).  The world obviously tells us a man is tough, rough, and never cries over “stuff”.  It tries to turn manliness into macho-ness.  The idea is…man is just a wild beast that cannot be tamed.  Throughout history we have seen that men lift themselves up and abuse the power they so pridefully want.  Men have made statues of themselves and forced others to worship it.  Though men in our current culture does not make bronze and gold statues of themselves I cannot help but think we sometimes try to build an image of ourselves in other ways so others will bow at our feet.  So what does God say a real man is? How does a real man act according to their God-given design? Well, here are a few characteristics that I think the Bible repeatedly calls a man to do and be.  It’s time for the real men to become who God has created them to be.  The “Boss”, Bruce Springsteen said, “A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the man you want to become and start being the man you want to be.”

Characteristics of a MAN…

1. He is a PROVIDOR

 1 Timothy 5:8 – Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

A real man provides for the needs of those around him.  That means his family, his friends, and even his enemies according to the Bible.  What you make happen for others God makes happen for you.  A real man takes on the responsibility to not just look out for his needs (although a man is called to do that) but the needs of others as well.  Jesus was a real man.  He looked out for the needs of others.  He humbled himself and became a servant even though He was a King.  What a model we have of a real man.  Real men are selfless not selfish.

2. He is a PROTECTOR 

1 Corinthians 16:13, 14 – Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.

We have to first protect OURSELVES.  Protect our thoughts, our dreams, and our attitude.  You can’t protect others if you are unprotected yourself.  You know the rule on an airplane…in case of emergency first take care of yourself so you can help those around you.  You are no good if you are dead.  Keep yourself alive so you can help others stay alive.  Don’t let others steal your DRIVE.  Don’t let the enemy steal your life and the lives of those around you.  Protect your wife spiritually.  Pray for her, be there for her.  Protect your kids.  Pray for them, be there for them.  Protect your family don’t destroy them with your words and your actions.  Sometimes we will fail (we aren’t always perfect) but apologize and pick yourself back up.

3. He is PURPOSEFUL 

Colossians 3:22-24 – Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Find your purpose in everything you do.  The most productive and influential person is a person with purpose.  Find your purpose in your work (check out an old blog post about work).  As men we are called for a purpose.  To live life with a purpose and on purpose.  Don’t just coast through life.  Chart your course and ask God to show you His GPS (God – Positioning – System) for your life.

4. He PERSEVERES

James 1:12 – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

John Wooden said, “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”  Failure isn’t FATAL unless we allow it to be.  Get back, up keep on keepin’ on.  The road to success is paved with failures.  Real men dust themselves off when they fall down and they get back up.  How many times in the Bible do we see men who wanted to give up? Yet God gave them the strength to keep fighting the fight.  When we stand and stand firm God will reward us and provide a way when there seems to be no way, but not if we give up and stop.  Keep on chasing after God and becoming the man God has called YOU to be.