6 Tips To Be A More Godly Man
Ephesians 5:25 has something to say to us, men, about how we are to order our lives.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"
Not all here are husbands, but all are interacting with women in their lives and some will be married at some point. What are a few principles this text is calling us to in relation to love. If we can understand Jesus’ mindset about this type of love he is referring to, we may learn a few lessons.
To be a Godly man is to love. Unapologetically, robustly, unwavering. Love for God and others. How did Christ love? In a way that led him to give himself up for her. The type of love we are after is not a mere feeling. But a deep desire to do good to the other, even at great cost to ourselves. May we love more. Both God and others.
Loving is serving. One way Jesus teaches us to serve those around us is through giving up our life. Now, most of us won't be called to give our actual lives up for someone. But the principle remains. Will you battle your sexual sins in an effort to love the women in your life? Will you cultivate patience within your self? Self control? Will you seek others interest above your own? Will you give up time to listen to your friends hurts? Loving is serving.
Be intentional. Christ was perfectly intentional in His love. The type of love we are after is not a reaction. It does not bubble up in organic moments. It is a daily choice. A deciding to put someone above yourself. A choice we make when it is hard. A choice we make when we aren’t “feeling it” one day. Because as we give ourselves up for others, our love and affection for them grow. Yes, love is an affection for someone who has grown very dear to us. But spend enough time with someone and there will be hard days. Those are the days you choose love.
Jesus balanced work and rest. He was perfect in his intentionality . He was a leader. And yet he would eat dinner with people. He'd work tirelessly, to the point the disciples (in the garden) were sleeping and couldn't match his pace. And he'd be intentional to go alone to the mountain to be with God. He played with little children in the sand and cast out demons. He spoke tenderly to shamed women and called out religious men. He was able to put together the traits we often think are mutually exclusive. May we do this as well.
Jesus took ownership of his life. He didn't passively live, he purposefully lived for others. Do you? We live in a time where young men are being trained by tik tok, Instagram reels, and YouTube about what it means to be men. What you consume is shaping you. Consume more of Jesus and watch the type of man He is, and in so doing, you will train yourself to be a better, godlier man.
Jesus was perfect in his authority and perfect in his vulnerability. In the west, we've built this weird Christian culture were to "be a man" is to be tough, masculine...etc. In fact, to be a man is to have an emotional spectrum wide enough to get down on your knees and play checkers with your kids, and also have an inner strength to withstand the trials we face as men. Leading your family, facing weakness and struggles, fighting for the weak/justice, and having endurance and discipline in your life.
Working to be a better man each day,
Josh.