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.
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.
RSS Feed
