Jesus Models Authentic Manhood

The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:6, NASB

10 Ways Jesus Models Authentic Manhood*
by Thomas Garrett

As both the Son of God and Son of Man, there is no greater model of authentic manhood than Jesus. I’ve observed 10 qualities of authentic manhood I believe are instructive to men—and women—today. Let’s take a look at them:

1) Jesus allowed the Father to affirm His identity. Before Jesus faced the devil in the wilderness and before He ever performed one miracle, He was affirmed by His Father: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17, KJV). A man exhibits authentic manhood when he allows the Word of God and the Spirit of God to affirm his identity as a son.

2) Jesus was focused on His Father’s business. Even at the young age of 12, Jesus possessed a keen sense of awareness that He was on an assignment given to Him by the Father: “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). While others were busy about the normal activities of life, Jesus gave Himself to discovering God’s plan for His life on earth. A man exhibits authentic manhood when he is focused on his God-given assignment.

3) Jesus practiced self-control. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus was tempted in every category of sin and knows what the “pressure of the flesh” feels like, yet He did not yield to the pressure—showing us that we can endure temptation and do not have to yield. A man exhibits authentic manhood when he practices self-control of his body, his thoughts and imaginations, and his words.

4) Jesus lived dependent upon God. Although Jesus was endowed with miracle-working power and supernatural wisdom, He did not act independently of God. He was completely dependent upon the Father’s direction. He said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do” (John 5:19). A man exhibits authentic manhood when he lives dependent upon the Lord’s direction in the various areas of his life.

5) Jesus was His brother’s keeper. Conscious of Satan’s desire to destroy His disciple Peter, Jesus did not stand idly by but prayed for His friend and encouraged him: “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee” (Luke 22:31-32). A man exhibits authentic manhood when he looks out for the spiritual welfare of his brothers in Christ.

6) Jesus walked in humility. Although Jesus was “in the form of God” (Phil. 2:6), He laid aside His rights to operate like God, became a man, and died on a cross to save His creation. The Creator dying at the hands of His creation—there is no greater display of humility. A man exhibits authentic manhood when he humbles himself for a cause beyond and greater than himself.

7) Jesus expressed His need for others. In His greatest moment of temptation, Jesus was honest about His need for help: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me” (Matt. 26:38). Jesus demonstrated the strength to be transparent with those He could trust and did not pretend that everything was OK. A man exhibits authentic manhood when he is honest to express his need for help with other godly men.

8) Jesus was zealous for the house of God. Jesus did not have a casual attitude about the house of God. When He saw merchants misusing the temple, He drove them out with a whip, turned over the tables and poured out the money (John 2:13-17). A man exhibits authentic manhood when he demonstrates zeal and enthusiasm for God’s house and contributes to its purposes.

9) Jesus lived to serve others. “For even the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, ESV). A man exhibits authentic manhood when he allows God to use him to serve others.

10) Jesus played through the pain. “For the joy that was set before Him [Jesus] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). From the Garden of Gethsemane until the moment He gave up the ghost, Jesus did not focus on His own agony. Instead, He focused on what would be accomplished if He followed through with the Father’s plan. A man exhibits authentic manhood when he is willing to carry out his assignment—focusing on the long-term reward, not focusing on the temporary pain.

*Published in Charisma Magazine Sep. 03,2013

Thomas L. Garrett is senior pastor of Faith Christian Center in Tampa, Fla. He is an honor graduate of the Word of Faith Bible Training Center and a graduate of Lawrence Tech University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

A Devotion from “The Supplied Life,” by Bill Freeman

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin:He condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:3

“Whether or not we understand all that is in the law of the Spirit, when we touch this law we get all that is in God. So it is a great matter to be a person oriented to the Spirit, to be according to the Spirit. It is not a small thing to wake up in the morning and find your orientation to yourself by contacting the Lord– by fellowshipping with Him, opening to Him, interacting with Him, surrendering afresh to Him, that His life could be lived out. This means stopping yourself and taking every problem– whether at the start of it, in the middle of it, or near the end of it– wherever you find yourself, and bringing yourself to the Spirit. It is in the realm of the law of the Spirit that everything has been accomplished and all our problems are solved.

The Supplied Life, by Bill Freeman is available on Amazon

“It is a marvelous thing to interact with the realm of the Spirit. This realm is not just a feeling, not just our emotion. We are interacting with the Father’s sending of the Son and with the Person of the Son and His full accomplishment. This includes everything that is incorporated into Him. Christ has become a life- giving Spirit to give us His kind of life. He is giving us His own incarnated life, His human life, His crucified life, His resurrected life, and His ascended life. This is the kind of life He is giving. This is the only kind of life He gives. He does not give any other kind of life. Thus, the life we experience in Him will be conformable to His human living, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.”—from THE SUPPLIED LIFE, by Bill Freeman.

Bill Freeman has ministered the Word for over forty years in California, Arizona, and Washington. He is the editor of a periodical publication called The Christian, and founder of Ministry of the Word, Inc., a ministry serving the Body of Christ through publications, the Internet, and conferences. Bill is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary and has written over forty books, booklets, and outline studies on the believer’s experience of Christ in daily life and its practical relationship to the church.

Life is a Balancing Act

Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Lord, who can dwell in Your tent?
Who can live on Your holy mountain?
The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness,
and acknowledges the truth in his heart —
who does not slander with his tongue,
who does not harm his friend
or discredit his neighbor,
who despises the one rejected by the Lord
but honors those who fear the Lord,
who keeps his word whatever the cost,
who does not lend his money at interest
or take a bribe against the innocent —
the one who does these things will never be moved. Psalm 15

“David here outlines the virtues that render a person worthy of dwelling in Hashem’s “tent” and residing in His “sacred mountain.” According to the Radak, David refers here to the resting place of the soul in the afterlife; it is thus here where we are told how a person earns his eternal share in the world to come. The Radak draws proof to this reading from the chapter’s final clause, where David exclaims, “he who does these shall not falter, forever.” The term “forever” implies that David refers here to eternal peace, which would suggest that he speaks of the soul’s reward in the afterlife.

“In listing these virtues, David focuses first on proper interpersonal conduct: honesty and integrity (verse 2), and refraining from crimes such as gossip, causing others harm, and nepotistic protection of unworthy relatives (verse 3). In verse 4, he imposes an important qualification on the virtues of loving kindness and concern for others: “Nivzeh Be’einav Nim’as,” which Rashi translates to mean, “The shameful one is despicable in his eyes.” Although this prototype acts with love and sensitivity, he is at the same time prepared to confront evil and its advocates, rather than extend to them the same kindness and compassion he shows generally. He respects those who deserve respect, while condemning behavior that warrants condemnation.

“The Ibn Ezra and Radak explain this verse differently, as meaning that the person sees himself as “shameful” and “despicable.” Despite his many fine qualities, he recognizes how much more he has to grow and accomplish in order to achieve perfection. Rather than falling into the trap of stifling complacency, he constantly strives to improve and to accomplish more.

“The message conveyed by this Psalm is thus a dual one. On the one hand, David promises eternal life to everyone who lives in accordance with the basic values of honesty and Godliness; the world to come is not reserved for only the great Tzadikim who have reached the highest levels of spiritual devotion. At the same time, however, to earn eternal life one must spend his life in the pursuit of perfection, working each day to grow and become better than he is. This Psalm does not demand that everybody be perfect, but it does not demand that everybody work towards and strive for spiritual perfection.” —Daily Tehlllim Psalm 15

“Here is a very serious question concerning the character of a citizen of Zion. It is the happiness of glorified saints, that they dwell in the holy hill; they are at home there, they shall be for ever there. It concerns us to make it sure to ourselves that we have a place among them. A very plain and particular answer is here given. Those who desire to know their duty, will find the Scripture a very faithful director, and conscience a faithful monitor. A citizen of Zion is sincere in his religion. He is really what he professes to be, and endeavors to stand complete in all the will of God. He is just both to God and man; and, in speaking to both, speaks the truth in his heart. He scorns and abhors wrong and fraud; he cannot reckon that a good bargain, nor a saving one, which is made with a lie; and knows that he who wrongs his neighbor will prove, in the end, to have most injured himself. He is very careful to do hurt to no man. He speaks evil of no man, makes not others ‘faults the matter of his common talk; he makes the best of every body, and the worst of nobody. If an ill- natured story be told him, he will disprove it if he can; if not, it goes no further. He values men by their virtue and piety. Wicked people are vile people, worthless, and good for nothing; so the word signifies. He thinks the worse of no man’s piety for his poverty and mean condition. He reckons that serious piety puts honor upon a man, more than wealth, or a great name. He honors such, desires their conversation and an interest in their prayers, is glad to show them respect, or do them a kindness. By this we may judge of ourselves in some measure. Even wise and good men may swear to their own hurt:but see how strong the obligation is, a man must rather suffer loss to himself and his family, than wrong his neighbor. He will not increase his estate by extortion, or by bribery. He will not, for any gain, or hope of it to himself, do any thing to hurt a righteous cause. Every true living member of the church, like the church itself, is built upon a Rock. He that doeth these things shall not be moved for ever. The grace of God shall always be sufficient for him. The union of these tempers and this conduct, can only spring from repentance for sin, faith in the Savior, and love to him. In these respects let us examine and prove our own selves.” —Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Two perspectives on a psalm of King David. One from a Jewish Commentator; the other from a Christian commentator. Both perspectives point to the obligations to live in the balance between justice and kindness. Rev. Henry wrote: “The union of these tempers and this conduct, can only spring from repentance for sin, faith in the Savior, and love to him. In these respects let us examine and prove our own selves.” From Tehillim we learn that “. . . to earn eternal life one must spend his life in the pursuit of perfection, working each day to grow and become better than he is. This Psalm does not demand that everybody be perfect, but it does not demand that everybody work towards and strive for spiritual perfection.”

The only difference I find between the Jewish and Christian way of living is those who know Y’shuaJesus as Messiah have accepted they work toward perfection so that they may live eternally in the House of the LORD, yet understand it is never earned, but granted by the one Who gave His life, that died, rose, and lives so we may live today without regret and live forever with Him in the House of the LORD.

Your Life has Purpose. . .

and for a small fee/donation, our company/agency/ministry will help you find it. And for an additional very modest fee/donation, we can assist you in fulfilling it.

Huh!

I cry out to G-d Most High,
to G-d who fulfills his purpose for me.
—Psalm 57:2

There, that was simple wasn’t it? Takes all the exasperation away. Doesn’t cost us anything (Y’shuaJesus already paid the price).

So. with what are we left? Listen to this great gospel song, it says it all:

I just want to Praise You Lord
I lift my hands to say I love You
You are everything to me
And I exalt Your holy name, (2x)
I exalt Your name, O Lord.

Be like a green olive tree

But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly.
—Psalm 52:8,9

“David contrasts Do’eg’s arrogance and self-reliance with his (David’s) faith in God, which guarantees his safety and protection (verse 10). While the wicked will ultimately wilt and wither, the righteous, who place their trust in the Almighty, will be like a “fresh olive tree”; they will be saved from the schemes of their adversaries and will enjoy a long life of success, blessing and prosperity.” — From Daily Tehillim, Perech Summary

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah — Psalm 46:1-3

Whatever is Commendable

The wisdom books of the Bible, such as Proverbs, teach us that there is more to life than knowledge. Eleanor Roosevelt put it this way: “Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.”

Today would be a good time to seek wisdom. Why today? Today is bound to be a full day; there are places to go, things to do, people to see. How about tomorrow? But is tomorrow going to be any different? In the Book of Proverbs, Wisdom is like a woman who cries in the street. The Book also tells of another woman who haunts the street. She is an adulterous lady that will captivate us, taking away our very soul, should she be allowed.

Captivate. It’s a good word. It means to attract and hold interest and attention. It means to charm. Synonyms are: enthrall, charm, enchant, bewitch, fascinate, beguile, entrance, enrapture, delight, attract, allure. These are not good things.

This woman that is opposed to Wisdom, this seductress, charms us, beguiles us. This reminds me of an old song first sung by the Exciters in 1963, Do-Wah-Diddy. It begins like this:

“There she was just a-walkin’ down the street
singin’ do-wah diddy-diddy down diddy-do
snappin’ her fingers and shufflin’ her feet
singin’ do-wah diddy-diddy down diddy-do

“She looked good, LOOKED GOOD
she looked fine, LOOKED FINE
she looked good, she looked fine
and I nearly lost my mind
Before I knew it she was walkin’ next to me” (emphasis added)

What’s a man gonna do but lose his mind? That’s the Siren call. That’s the call of the “other woman” of the Book of Proverbs. How is the voice of Lady Wisdom to compete with this? Psalm 1 tells us:

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night

Here we see the problem, and it’s most likely result. In this case, Madame Seductress is counsel of the wicked. We listen, and we stand like sinners, finally sitting down with scoffers. We follow the counsel of the wicked to gain the world, and lose our souls.

Here we also see the solution: to be blessed, we must be enraptured by the Law of the LORD and in that Law we must meditate. The Apostle Paul put it this way:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil 4:8

We live today in desperate times. We live with encroaching darkness; the light of day is giving way. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Messiah who are persecuted for living The Word, for believing in the One True G-d our LORD. Many have died throughout the world. Many more are homeless, without food, sick. Pray also for the people of America, as the country is engulfed in darkness as mainstream churches follow Siren song, committing adultery against G-d, as they accept the ways of the world, rejecting the Authority of Scripture. Remember, we have nothing to fear, for these things must happen. And when the Time comes, our Lord and Savior, Y’shua will return. Maranatha!

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Channel or Channeling

Channel and channeling are words that makes me shutter. Unbelievably, I heard my wife say something about so and so channeling so and so. Probably too quickly I expressed my distaste at its usage, which was interpreted as a rebuke and she felt offended. Oh, well. That word offends me.

Well, she only meant that the person was imitating another person in the tone or way of speech. And that’s sort of how the word is being used–I think misused–in America. For instance, recently in an article on a country singer, the lead read: “This Oklahoman channels the hip-shaking fifties and more on his sophomore release.”

Here’s my objection: Yahoo! dictionary defines channeling as “The act or practice of serving as a medium through which a spirit guide purportedly communicates with living persons.”

Alright. Common language changes over time. My kids say things like, “Wow. Sick!” Taken on face value, sick means being ill, or having a disease. But in common vernacular of kids it means the same as my generation did when we said, “Cool, man!” To us, forty or more years ago “cool” wasn’t measured in degrees Celsius; it wasn’t temperature related. Neither was “hot,” which is like saying “really cool.” Confused yet?

So why do I object to the world channel? I object to trying to make what is a connotation of evil into being acceptable in common speech. And that’s different from “sick” or “cool” or “hot.”

But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 1 Corinth 10:28

Paul’s words are not merely about eating meat. There’s more here to what he’s talking about. It’s about doing something that may cause someone to stumble. Let me spell it out. If you don’t see anything wrong with using the word “channel” in common reference to imitation of a person or a type of music–for instance–then you’ll likely be drawn into other people’s usage of channel when speaking about a demonic spirit. If you take a step, you’re more likely to take two or more.

Psalm 1, in the first verse, shows us that we are to guard ourselves from evil, and its progressively taking us down the slope.

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers. Psalm 1:1

If you begin to walk with evil, you’re more likely to stand with evil, and then you’ll likely find yourself sitting with evil.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Admitting I need help

During this past holiday season, I was given a coffee mug on which is emblazoned, “How many roads must a man go down before he admits he’s lost?” It’s silly, really, in that I don’t get lost driving the roads. Sure, I’ve made a few wrong turns, but quickly realized it and turned around. Well, there was that one time. . .

But. Anyway. There’s another way to take this proclamation against being lost and failing to admit it, failing to ask for help. And it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with getting lost in a car or truck. And I admit that to some extent I’m guilty in the first degree of that sort of getting lost. I admit that I like figuring things out on my own, doing things on my own. My excuse: I’m a loner! Simple. I just like to do things my way, by myself.

*******

Earlier this morning, I dropped my daughter off at school. I need to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy later this morning. Not wanting to make another trip out, I stopped near the pharmacy where I occasionally have breakfast. The food’s good and the menu offers many non-meat items of interest. Omelets are my favorite. This morning I’m having the vegi delight that includes spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese.

On the table, along with my Mac computer, is my Bible. It’s open to Hebrews chapter two. The host notices it and looks to see what I’m reading.

“Hebrews.” She says. “That’s one of my favorites. Lots in there.”

“Mine too,” I say. “It’s a letter to Jewish readers showing that Jesus is greater than Moses.”

“I get a scripture email each day,” she says, “and yesterday it was from Hebrews chapter one. The comment said that’s the main theme of the book, setting out the Way of Christ as superior to the way of Moses.”

She then headed off to lead other diners to their tables and I looked at chapter two of Hebrews. I came to this part:

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. –Hebrews 2:18

I sense the people around me, at the other tables. People are engaged in conversations, some very animated, others more subdued. Three men are talking about things of which I have no clue. Business stuff, I guess. At another table a man is counseling a woman about what some other person should or should not be doing. Perhaps their child, though they don’t look like a couple. Behind me two women are talking about their families. At another table. . . The conversations drift across my table and I grasp a piece here and a piece there. I imagine that at some point one person may say to another something concerning me like:

“Religion. It’s just a crutch. It’s the opium that dulls the mind. It’s what causes all the violence in the world.”

There have been comments that I’ve read that specifically state that Christianity should be banned in America.

People hate Christians, or dislike Christians, or simply have no use for Christians. There are a lot of reasons for this. One is that Christians seek guidance for their lives in what they consider the Words of G-d. Christians admit that they need help. That they can’t live their lives without the assistance of a Heavenly Father. And because we have no relationship with Father G-d, except through The Son, Y’shuaJesus, who reconciles us the The Father, it makes us, in some people’s minds, weak.

There’s another reason that people, in general, have a problem with Christians who take the Word of G-d at its Word, as His Word. It has to with getting to Heaven without a savior. It has to do with earning the right to salvation. But that’s another whole topic in itself.

Like my gift coffee mug expresses, “How many roads must a man go down before he admits he’s lost?”

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Sukkoth

Catherine Martin, on her blog Everyone has a Story posted: Jesus was a homeless guy. And so He was.

A scribe approached Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go!” Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. Matthew 8:19,20

It is an appropriate blog post this week. For this evening begins Sukkoth, also called the Feast of Tabernacles (or booths). The celebration of Sukkoth isn’t at all the same here in America as it is in Israel. The closest an American might come to visualizing the scene in Jerusalem would be if he or she is old enough to remember Christmases when many front lawns and parks had small tent-like structures within which were displayed nativity scenes. The celebration of Sukkoth is the celebration of remembering that once the Jewish people wandered in the desert. While not all celebrate the Feast by sleeping the entire night in the small tents that line the streets of Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel, most will at least eat a meal in the tent during the evening. This Feast is one in which giving extra to charity is emphasized, and often a stranger is entertained in a tent.

There is a local church here in north Georgia that holds a festival of sorts that has the youth group sleeping outdoors. Each year the youth group is tasked with going out into the community to beg for food, as food drive. The young people then return, hopefully with bags of groceries, or at least pledges. Toward evening, they build cardboard huts in which they will spend the night. There are adult chaperones, and a meager meal is served to those who’ve brought back food that will be shared with actual homeless individuals.

In her post, Ms. Martin tells of her anguish at reading a comment by a “Christian pastor explaining his opinion that people who are poor are reaping the seeds of irresponsibility and poor decisions, and the Church is not expected to physically care for them.” This pastor suffers from an excessive dose of Calvinism, in which those who are truly saved display that fact by being very prosperous. I suppose that love isn’t enough to display that we are Christians. So does that mean the song, “They will know we are Christians by our love. . .” ought to be changed to “They will know we are Christians by our riches. . . ” Huh! Yeah, I agree with Ms. Martin. And I agree with the church that is doing something to build some sort of empathy within its youth group for the plight of the homeless. And plight it is.

Being homeless is like ending up in a hole, whether or not it is one fallen into or one that a person digs for him or her self. Once in deep enough, it cannot be escaped without help. In the mid eighties I worked with a wonderful man who was homeless. He, along with his wife and two children, were living in a small settlement of homeless. The pastor had built a community out of old military barracks removed from a nearby military post when it was closing down some of its training areas. That pastor taught some of the men to fish, buying three fishing boats. He tried to work with those that were able to get them back into the mainstream. Some were not able. Some too burned out, too empty of self-esteem. To emotionally broken. But those that could, were able to get out, on their feet, and make it. My friend eventually became a music professor at a well-known university, and his wife a teacher and artist.

Think about this: If you are applying for a job, you need an address. If your driver license is expiring, you need an address. No address, no job, no identification. How do you get a job? Oh, sure, just rent a place to live, then you will have an address and you can apply for a job. But without a job, how do you pay for a place to live? Okay, some ingenuity and you use the address of a shelter until you get a job, save some money, and move into a place of your own. But getting a job takes money, too. Clothing, for instance, that isn’t rags, is a basic necessity. It’s just hard. The homeless need help. And, as Ms. Martin points out, it’s not helping them if a Christian just passes them a tract to read. What churches can do is look around the community within which it resides, and say, “What needs are there here?” Then supply them.

While working psych ambulance in California’s Silicon Valley, I went into a lot of board and care facilities for mental health patients. I also transported a lot of elderly people to and from residential facilities. Most of these places were really bad. But there was one, just one in all of the Santa Clara Valley, that was incredibly nice. It was in the back parking lot of a Mennonite Church. Being also a journalist in my though process, I asked about the senior care facility and was told that church members discovered there was a real need in the community for senior citizens, old people, to have a place to live, to be cared for. The parking lot was huge, and the city allowed the church to build a facility.

Like the pastor that built a community for the homeless, like the Mennonite Church, churches can spend more time looking to their own communities’ needs than to building fancy buildings and additional classrooms, or funding mission trips to other countries. While those things may seem important, the guy on the corner carrying a sign that says “Vet needs help,” might, with a little love and help, get on his own feet. In the meantime, that homeless man provides a witness against the church for its lack of commitment to Messiah Y’shua, who tasted life on the streets.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .