"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

To walk in the light:  is to live in such a way that one is enlightened by the truth of who God is.
The enemy rules in darkness (ignorance).  He has no power in the light of truth.

Fellowship with one another:  When a Kingdom citizen's conduct reflects God's moral character, then real fellowship is possible with other citizens.  But it may be that one  another refers to fellowship with God rather than fellowship with other believers.  Our fellowship with the Father is dependent on walking in His light, where sin is revealed.

Cleanses us from all sin:  This revelation enables us to see our sins and bring us to Jesus to seek salvation.  Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from all sin, making it possible for imperfect believers to have fellowship with a Holy God.

I Peter 3:7  Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Commentary:  Kingdom husbands are to demonstrate toward their wives the same unselfish spirit as Kingdom citizens (read I Peter 2:13-17) Kingdom subordinates (I Peter 2:18-25) and Kingdom wives (read I Peter 3:1-6)

With understanding:  A kingdom husband should be intimately aware of his wife's needs, her strengths and weaknesses, and her goals and desires.  He should know as much about her as possible in order to respond in the best way to her.

Giving honor:  A Kingdom husband gives honor to his wife because she deserves honor (Read I Peter 3:1-6)

Weaker vessel:  The weakness viewed here is primarily physical weakness, since the term vessel means the human body.

Being heirs together:  The relationship described here is one between a Kingdom husband and his Kingdom wife, since all citizens and only citizens are heirs of the grace of life (Read Romans 8:17)

That your prayers may not be hindered:  A Kingdom husband's spiritual leadership with God is directly affected by the way he treats his wife.

    If you have noticed in my commentary, I never once mentioned the word "Christian", because that is the term that the secular society gave the Kingdom citizens back in the time of the early apostles.  They were first called "Christians" (Read Acts 11:26), and they adapted it.  Keep in mind that Jesus never referred to His disciples or any others as "Christians".

Key #8:  A real man loves compassion, mercy and justice.   

    A real man exercises compassion, mercy and justice.  Through them, he shows true strength and brings the Kingdom of God to others.

    Compassion is passion that is aimed at setting people free.  Every time Jesus had compassion, He was about to fix something.  If people were hungry, He had compassion and fed them.  If they were "like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36) He had compassion and said "I am the Good Shepherd; I lead you," (read John 10:11-15)  To show compassion means to apply one's strength to meet people's needs.

    Mercy is not treating a person as he deserves when he has committed a wrong against you.  God has extended mercy to us in salvation.  "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this while were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)  As His representatives on earth, He wants us to show mercy also.  We are not to seek revenge against others, but are to freely forgive them and do everything we can to lead them to Christ.  "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ's behalf:  be reconciled to God" (II Corinthians 5:20)

    Justice means doing what is right by others.  God hates injustice.  A real man reflects His nature and character by following His commands to "act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8)

Key #9:  A real man is faithful and loyal to the Kingdom of God and His mission, the Church.

    In Matthew 6:33, Jesus reduced life to one thing:  "Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will He give to you as well."  He was saying, in effect, "Look, all of you are talking about your mortgages, automobiles, lands, clothing, food, drink and everything else.  You have your priorities confused.  Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God."

    A real man has a passion to see the Kingdom of God established in his country.  Sinners make him sad.  Broken lives depress him.  People who don't know Christ concern him.  A real man rejoices when people are delivered from the devil.  The Bible says that Jesus sent out His disciples with the authority to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead. (Read Luke 10:1-24)  When they came back, what did Jesus do?  The Bible says He was "full of joy" (Luke 10:21).  In the Greek, the word this phrase comes from means to "jump for joy" or "be exceedingly glad"  Jesus began to leap.  he was excited about men setting other men free.  He said to His disciples "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (verse 20).  In other words, "Don't rejoice that the demons are afraid of you, rejoice that you are saved.  This is what makes me happy."  Real men have the spirit of the Great Commission in their lives:  a love for souls and a passion for others to know Christ.

    Key #10:  A real man keeps himself in God

    Finally, a real man doesn't take God's presence in his life for granted.  He guards his heart and actions so that he can stay close to God and continually reflect His character and ways.  He puts the entire weight of his trust in the Lord because he knows that God is "able to keep (him) from falling and to present (him) before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy" (Read Jude 24)

    Before I continue on to Key #5 from Dr. Myles Munroe's book, Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men, I would like to reiterate that Jesus always preached and taught concerning the Kingdom of God.  He said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness," meaning His laws. (Matthew 6:33)

Key# 5  A Real Man endeavors to learn, live and teach God's word and principles.

    In Genesis 2:15-17, God commanded the first man to keep His word, saying that if he disobeyed it, he would die.  In this act, He established the principle that man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)

    A real man is a man of principles.  He realizes that his spirit must be nourished by the Word of God or his spiritual health will decline.  God's word is the precept by which he lives.  Because he is a responsible leader, he is also committed to teaching the Scriptures to his family.

    A real man allows the word to transform his life so that he can represent God's will on earth, thus spreading the Garden of God's presence to a world living in the darkness of sin and separation from God:

    "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." (Philippians 2:14-16)

Key #6  A Real Man demonstrates faith and inspires it in others.

    When you return to your original image as a man, you become a person who makes people believe that anything is possible.  Can you think of Jesus as being anything less than that?  He was the only one in history who said, "Nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37)  What He said is so high that only God could have said it.

    Jesus not only said it, but He also believed it.  That's why the beggar, the prostitute, and the religious man all kept coming to Him.  He made them believe nothing was impossible.  A real man has a spirit of faith and inspires others.

    Wouldn't you like to be around someone who says, "You can do it.  I know things are tough, but you're going to make it." and "Everyone fails once in a while.  Get back up and try again"?  Even in the darkest hour, a real man believes "there's a way out; you can do it."  Counterfeit men have no faith.  They say things like, "You're talking about starting a business?  You'd better hang on to that secure job you have."  A real man knows that no job can give a person true security, so he puts his faith in God and trusts His leading.  Sometimes a real man might be scared, but he won't worry, because he trusts in God to finish the work He started.  Faith is believing in what God said, not in what you see.  That's the faith of a real man.

Key #7  A Real Man is committed to cultivating others to be the best they can be.

    A real man endeavors to encourage others to reflect the image of creativity of God in all they are and do; spiritually, emotionally, psychologically and physically.  He prays for wisdom and guidance on how to cultivate his wife and children so they can mature in Christ and become all that God has created them to be.  He encourages his family in their gifts and talents while helping them develop in any way he can.  As a cultivator, he delights in seeing these gifts unfold in their lives, just as God delights in seeing us use our abilities for His glory.

Key  #3:  A real man aspires to work and to develop his gifts and talents.

    After God placed Adam in His presence, He gave him work.   Jesus, the Second Adam, seemed to have two favorite words that reflected God's purpose for man.  One was "Father".  He was always talking about His Father in heaven and seeking His presence in prayer.  The other was "work".  For example, consider these statements of Jesus:
"My food is to do the work of Him who sent me, and to finish His work."
John 4:34

"My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."  John 5:17

"I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."  John 9:4

"I have glorified You on earth.  I have finished the work which You have given me to do"  John 17:4

    Keep in mind, that Jesus was intent on doing His Father's work to completion.  A real man aspires to do the work of God the Father, while developing and using the gifts and talents God has given him.  He isn't lazy; he has a vision for his life, and he is willing to work to fulfill it.  In God's economy, a man who works and makes mistakes is better than a man who doesn't do anything.

A real man's motivation for work is to fulfill the purposes for which he was created.  Jesus said, "For as the Father has life within Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man"  John 6:26-27  In other words, there's a higher reason to work.  Don't just work to pay bills.  Don't work just to buy food.  Understand the true nature of work.  In the garden, keep in mind, there was no supervisor, no one to hand out paychecks.  Work was given to Adam because it was a natural part of his being.  Through work, he fulfilled his purpose as a man.

Matthew 25:16, which comes from the parable of the talents, is a powerful verse:  "The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more."  How did the man gain more money?  He put his original money to work, and the money multiplied.  God wants us to go to work to multiply His kingdom on earth.

Key #4:  A real man honors his marriage and family above personal interest.

    Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding (read John 2:1-11)  In this way, His ministry was introduced to the world as one that supports the family.  Jesus is a family man.  His number one desire right now is to be married to His bride, the church.  The books of Ephesians and Colossians say that the Holy Spirit is our seal of Salvation.  Like an engagement ring, the Spirit is our promise that we're going to be married to our Bridegroom, Jesus.  The book of Revelation says that Jesus is waiting for His bride.  After He returns to Earth for us, we will be with Him at the marriage supper of the lamb,  We will be consummated with Christ.

    Jesus loves His betrothed.  He is a family man, and He takes care of His bride.  The Bible says that He gave His life for her.  he washes her "by the washing with water through the word" (Ephesians 5:26).  A man is to love his wife "just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her..." (Ephesians 5: 25-28).  A real man protects and takes care of his wife and family, looking out for their needs before his own.  A few real men who truly understand this truth and endeavor to live it out could set a standard for entire nations.

    Where are the real men in these United States?  Where are the men that believe in the Bible and speak out against injustice--regardless of where it was?  They are here, but have allowed themselves to be caught up with the affairs of the world.  We, as men, should always guard ourselves of what we listen to because it can and will effect our behavior.  If you don't guard your tongue and guard what you listen to it, will take over your thoughts and how you see the world around you. 

    Keep this in mind, you are born a male, but you have to become a man.  This means that someone could actually grow up to be just an old male, never living as a real man.  Becoming God's man is the only way a male can live a satisfying and meaningful life, because this purpose is the key to fulfillment.

    On the television, internet and radio, men--young and old--are portrayed as weak and feminine.  In a lot of cases, men are portrayed as a joke and a laughing stock.  Have you seen the television commercials lately?  The women are portrayed as more masculine than the men.

    Keep in mind, to become a real man, a male needs to understand that God's purpose must permeate his entire life so they can overflow into the lives of others.  When God gave man dominion over the earth, here is what He was saying, "I am giving you stewardship over creation.  Take care of it, so that it will always be a reflection of My character and purpose"  Now to be a steward means to be given a trust over what belongs to someone else.  A man is responsible for living and fulfilling God's purposes in the world and enabling others to do so also.

    Here are ten keys to becoming real men, taken form Dr. Myles Munroe's book, "Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men"

Key #1  A real man desires and loves God and His presence.
A real man seeks intimate communion with God by remaining continually in His presence.  He loves to worship the One who created and redeemed him.  A real man's spiritual priorities take precedence over his physical and temporal ones.  In Luke 4:3 the devil tempted Jesus with a physical need.  "And the devil said to Him, 'If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."  Jesus replied in essence, "No, you don't understand.  I have My priorities sorted out.  I'd rather be in God's presence than satisfy any temporal hunger" Luke 4:4 A real man is clear about what his priorities are.  You can trust that.

Key #2  A real man seeks to restore God's image in himself.
A real man wants to be spiritually renewed so that the fullness of God's image and likeness is restored to his life.  He seeks to return to the original plan that God intended when He first made man.  This plan is that males and females would reflect the nature of God, who is Spirit, while living as physical beings on the earth.  A real man is not deceived by or enamored with counterfeit images of manhood, such as the popular culture presents.  A real man wants to be what he was created to be.  He wants to be like his Father God.

    We were born to rule the earth--all of us.  When we do not become who we were meant to be or fulfill our destiny, we open the door to a whole world of pain and personal problems.  We allow ourselves to be dominated by our physical environment or by other people.  This can result in things like high blood pressure, stress, anxiety and a host of other physical problems and illnesses.  It can even open the door to mental and emotional troubles as well.

    Psalm 115:14-16  May the Lord give you increase more and more, 15)May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  16) The highest heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's, but the Earth He has given to the children of men.

    Check out verse 16, the writer makes it very plain: The phrase "the highest heavens" refers to the heavens above the stratosphere; the invisible world where God lives.  Keep in mind, that Heaven is God's realm, but He gave the earth to man, not in a deed of ownership, but as a lease agreement of proprietorship.  Here the Bible tells us directly that heaven is not our territory.

    Believers often speak about going to heaven when they die.  Although that is true, God has made arrangements to make sure that we don't stay there.  If we stay in heaven, God's word would fail, because He has plainly stated He created us to have dominion over the Earth.  God's word can never fail.

    Isaiah 55:10-11  For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth,and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater, 11) So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

    If God says He created us to exercise dominion over the Earth, then clearly we cannot stay in heaven.  Some of us need to get a clue.  God's purpose for us has always been that we dominate the Earth; but our tendency in the church is to over-focus on heaven.  Keep in mind, that the king of the universe has given us an earthly mandate.  This is why He has made arrangements to ensure that believers who die now will return to the Earth with the Lord.  Keep this in mind as well, that God has even made arrangements for our new bodies...it's called the resurrection.