Why We’re Not “Better Men” Than We Are

What keeps us from being “better men”?

That question has to be asked!  Why are men not “better” than we are are at being leaders, husbands, fathers and friends?

The Bible contains an incredible challenge to men.  The challenge is an example – Jesus Christ.  The Perfect One.  Amazingly, we are called to be like him.  It was Paul who said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”  Simple, but simply impossible, too.

We need help.  In the “Better Man” blog series, we’ll be looking at the immeasurable and sufficient Help we have in Christ.   The Apostle said this:

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”   1 Corinthians 16:13-14

In this, we find reasons we’re NOT better men:

1)  We are not alert to the wars around us.  In case you didn’t notice, you’re in war.  The battle for your mind, your words, your character, your actions, your time, focus and energy is a real war.  It’s fought on the battlefield of work, church, community, and home – and most of us are unaware just how far from Christ we are in this battle.  Be alert!

2)  We lose consistency in our time with God and become detached.  That line that says, “stand firm in the faith?” That’s about being consistent with your time in prayer, in the Word, and in spiritual disciplines.  Like a soldier who never trains, we’re poor soldiers in the spiritual battle without spiritual discipline.  If I’m not training, I’m setting my self up to fail as a man.

3)  We don’t grow from immaturity to maturity and act like men.  It’s pretty common to hear today that some men are still just boys.  The “act like men” phrase has to do with your actions.  Where do you spend your time, energy and passion?  Is it manly?  Or more like a boy?  Don’t get me wrong – we should have fun, but fun with perspective.  Act like men!  Focus on what counts!

4)  We’re too weak to resist temptation and sin.   The “be strong” phrase is convicting!  The idea is to be progressing from weakness to strength – again, like a soldier or an athlete, so that when temptation comes, we don’t give in.

5)  Instead of acting in love, our actions are often selfish.  “Let all that you do be done in love” is a huge admonition. Would your wife say you do that well? Your children? Those around you?  When I’m not acting in love, the culprit is always SELF.  That’s why I have to die to self daily – and so do you.

The good news?  The “better man” you need to be is Christ.  He’s Present.  He’s Powerful.  He’s indwelling every true believer.  He’s available.
Ultimately, the way to be “better” is not by trying harder, or learning any “growth secrets” in life.  We’re better when set aside our old self, and put on the new man that Christ Jesus provides in His power.  Through salvation and the daily walk of faith and obedience, we become more and more like that Perfect Man.