“What in the world am I doing?”
I’ve had this thought many times while planning this blog project. Why me? I’m certainly no great example of Biblical manhood. I fall so far short, so often, that although I’m trying to live as a Godly man, I would never want to hold myself up as an example.
I have many heroes who display a sound awareness of what it means to be a man. They support and love their wives and wisely parent their children. They are humble and willing to listen to correction. They are bold in evangelism and diligent in their work. They rejoice in the Cross and mourn their sin. I want to be one of them.
But as Godly and genuine as these men are, they are sinners nonetheless. What distorts and mars true manhood is simply this: Sin. What is wrong with men these days may have something to do with bad upbringing, stupid psychology, faux science, feminism, and our debauched culture, but it all traces back to the Fall.
When Adam stood by and watched his wife take the apple and eat it, and then listened to her when she offered it to him, he abdicated his responsibility to lead, care for, and protect her. Manhood has never been the same. The failure of our father has been passed down through countless generations, and the human experience of manhood since then has always been horribly distorted by sin and its effects.
Where can we look for an example?
You’ve probably guessed where I’m going with this, but that’s ok. Since Jesus was the only man who never sinned, his way of life and character ought to be a perfect example for us imperfect men to follow.
Consider the humility of the only man who had a right to be proud of himself. Consider his zeal for the glory of God, and his unconditional love toward sinners. Consider the Man who suffered every temptation, yet never sinned. He was never proud or hateful; never lusted; never disrespected his parents; never stole; never lied; never even laughed at a dirty joke. He was always faithful to his Father’s will; always seeking the interests of others; always laying his life down, for us.
This is the Man we follow; this is the God we serve. May our lives, and this blog, glorify and exalt Him alone. SOLI DEO GLORIA!
