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)
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)
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