"Jesus was a man's man, so men followed Him..." (Man Up, by Da Truth)

I would love to see men own the masculinity that God has designed for them.

That’s right boys- this post is directed at you. Strap on your big-boy pants gentlemen, this could be fun.

OK guys, lets chat here for a bit. You may not know this about me, but I am a HUGE fan of Biblical masculinity, and I love to study the ways that God has designed men and women to specifically bear His image. Bearing His image is a huge responsibility, and God has gifted each gender with specific characteristics and qualities to enable us to understand more of His character. Men and women were each designed with a specific purpose, and each gender struggles with its own issues. For instance, many women struggle with believing the lie that they are not worth anything, and that God is holding out on them. That is a reason why it is common for women to struggle with wanting to seize control and prove their independence and assert that “we don’t need men- I can handle things on my own.” It is also a reason why women typically struggle with constantly seeking male attention- we want to know that we are indeed enticing and captivating. (Forgive me for my sweeping generalization!)
Boys typically struggle with different issues, especially speaking up in boldness when they need to. Men- you were created to SPEAK TRUTH. We were all created to speak Truth. In order to speak Truth, you must know Truth. Men are called specifically to be spiritual leaders, and know the Word of God, and REMEMBER the Word of God. The word “male” is translated from the Hebrew term “zakar,” which means “the remembering one.” You guys have a responsibility to remind others of the Truths of God; this calling is directed specifically at you as men. While girls are also supposed to hold others accountable to the Word, it is a heavier burden for guys. Just look at a couple of the instructions that are given to men:

“Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses…” (1 Kings 2:2-3)

“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.” (1 Timothy 6:11)

There are quite a few verses in the Bible that are specifically directed to men, and most of them are calling men to action. You are not called to be passive men! Even before the fall of man took place, God placed Adam in the garden to “work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Work is not a result of the fall. We were always supposed to work. The result of the fall is how difficult the work would prove to be. Now we struggle. But men- you were always called to be active. Stop submitting to passivity! I would be so delighted if guys would really start to man up and accept the calling that God has placed on their lives. Men- I am not interested in your excuses. In fact, I am quite tired of hearing them. ACT. Go out and DO something!
I’ve recently fallen in love with reading the stories of the warriors from the old testament. THOSE were men who weren’t afraid of action. In fact, all men who are mentioned as role models in the Bible were men of action. Think about it. They all went forward with boldness because they knew their God was with them. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, because he knew that God has promised him this child. He trusted in God’s goodness because he knew that it would prove true. He received the command to sacrifice Isaac and set out THE NEXT DAY. David went out to fight a giant, and won. He was astounded at the terror of the Israelites. He kindly reminded them, “Don’t you know that God is on our side? Hand me my sling shot” and then he trotted off to battle, and SLAYED A GIANT! (Catoe paraphrase- you get the main idea). Joshua brought down a city by merely marching around the wall and blowing some horns. Gideon defeated thousands of Midianites using just 300 men (remind anyone else of Sparta?). Samson killed 1,000 men with a donkey’s jawbone. The Israelites defeated the Philistines with out using any weapons! David’s soldiers were referred to as “mighty men.”
Doesn’t that stir something with in you? These men were willing to ACT on what they believed. They KNEW the God they worshiped. They were able to recognize His voice. The boldness of the early church spread Christianity all over the world. They were persecuted, but even when they were in prison they were preaching the Word. They trusted in the Lord, took Him at His word, and were willing to risk it all.
THAT is the type of action we are called to. Men and women. But men- you have a specific calling. You are called to lead in this, to remember the commands, to remember the warriors mentioned in the Bible. Remember the character of God, and how He is faithful, and will fulfill His promises. Men, I would love to see you step up and claim the victory that Christ have given you; be bold. Lead. Remember. DO SOMETHING.