When does a boy become a man? When he can shave or grow a beard? When he can drive? Graduates high school or college? When he gets married? When he becomes a father? When he gets a job? All of these are milestones to look forward to in a boy’s life. But when does he become a man? When is he told he is a man?
I want to share over the next four posts what I consider the characteristics that make a Godly man.
I first need to give credit to Robert Lewis who wrote Raising a Modern Day Knight. I suggest you read his book and explore his web site for a different and more exhaustive perspective. From reading Robert’s book and other sources that have inspired me for help raising my son, I developed the six characteristics that define a Godly man.
I welcome your comments and feedback for this most important topic in our culture today. I feel there is no greater need in our country than to raise up Godly men who will lead the next generation.
Truett Cathy said it so true in one of his book’s title It’s better to build boys than to mend men. We have to be intentional about how we raise our boys today. I am in no way saying I am doing it the right way or the only way, but I am raising my boy the best way that I can while seeking help from God. I first shared with him and taught him these six characteristics of a man. After we covered these characteristics I asked him if I could share them on this blog. He said that I should … and so I do.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11
Accept RESPONSIBILITY for a Will to Obey
The first thing to know is that as a man there are responsibilities we must accept. The first responsibility is for a will to obey.
Who’s will do we obey? We certainly will obey somebody’s will with our life. But a Godly man will obey the will of God. When we say the will – it simply means doing what someone desires of you.
So – how do you know what your creator has in mind for you? What does He want you to do with your life? How do you know when you are obeying Him not yourself or other influences in life?
I believe God wants at least four things from every man:
- To have a relationship with Him [Matthew 6:6]
- To love Jesus with all your heart, mind, soul and strength [Mark 12:30]
- To love others with your deeds [Mark 12:31]
- To resist satan [James 4:7, Ephesians 6:11]
I believe that through our circumstances in life God has uniquely equipped us for certain tasks in life. Certain things He wants us to do, that only we will be able to do. God can accomplish all He wants in this earth, and some of those things He wants to use our mind and body to accomplish! We just need to ask.
Do you know that the Creator of the universe, the One who made the moon, stars and earth, wants a relationship with you and wants to communicate with you! How does God do that? How does he communicate directly with me?
God will communicate the desires of His heart to you if you will:
- Read and study the Bible regularly
- Pray to God (which means talking and listening to Him)
- Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you
If you do not know exactly how this works I would love to talk with you and explain how our Father in Heaven wants to communicate with you and me here on earth.