You Make Me Want to be a Better Man

Men are confused.  In our culture, it’s self-inflicted wound.  But even deeper, it’s a sin-inflicted wound.  Adam was confused about his role, too.

Because men are confused, we often try to find ‘our own way’ to express manhood.  It usually comes out pretty weird.  Or worse, damaging to everyone around us.  There’s a better way.
When I was 19 years old, a verse of Scripture was ingrained into my mind that has remained there since that time.  It stands out today as a reminder that we can know what men are to be like, and we can act like men.

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

As a young man, I wondered what this verse meant and how it would help me move toward mature manhood.  Today, after being in that journey for a while, I want other men to know these truths.  These words of the Apostle Paul make me want to be a better man.  The example of Christ leads me to say to Him, “You make me want to be a better man. But I need Your help.”

Ed Stetzer has a great take on the phrase “act like men.”  “Despite accepted cultural norms, acting like men doesn’t mean being macho, arrogant, overbearing, rude, or harsh. That’s immaturity and sin. Men are to love and serve through controlled strength. The power of godly men is wrought through the redemptive work of Christ in our hearts and lives. To be a man in our world– a biblical man– will look different than much of what passes for manhood in the world and even in contemporary Christian cultural expressions.”

If you’re in the DFW area, you can join us in the teaching series, “Challenges of Biblical Manhood” that we’ll be doing each Tuesday morning at 6:30 am and Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm at First Euless (beginning September 9).

If you’re not nearby, be sure to catch and share my “Better Man” blog series.  Desire to be a better man.