These are decadent times. The days are evil and getting worse. We are living in the end times. Lawlessness, murder, rape, child sexual abuse, pornography and all kinds of wickedness fill the air. Immoral and unethical behavior are rampant today. Who will stand up and speak out? Who will represent God and be used by Him to go against the world system in these evil times? Who will stand in the gap for their families and fellow Believers? Who will be a witness to a dying world? Who will remain steadfast in Christ, and serve and honor Him with their lives? Will you be the Joshua or Caleb that stands out? The world desperately needs Godly men. God wants an army of great grandfathers, grandfathers, fathers, sons and brothers to live this life for Him, to beat to His drum, to obey, trust and serve Him. The Godly man loves God, and follows Him, he doesn’t really care what other men think, he knows it is dangerous to fall in with the world. He knows that “fear of man will prove to be a snare.” Godly men face serious challenges, opposition, and adversity today. There are forces and situations (the self, devil, and the world) that oppose God and Godly men. When you commit to be a Godly man and pursue God with all your heart, you draw attention. You will be challenged. Christian men, we are in a vicious war today! Everything we stand for goes against the reality and agenda of this world! It isn’t easy to live for God in a godless world. There are countless temptations, obstacles, stresses, frustrations, and pressures.
The Call
God calls all Christian men to be Godly men (1Peter 1:13-14; Titus 2:11-15; Rom. 12:1-3). He spoke repeatedly through prophets, judges, kings, disciples, and apostles through the ages. He speaks to us through His Word. God clearly reveals His calling and expectations for men who belong to Him (Deut. 10:12-13; 1 Thess. 5:14-27; Ephes. 4:22-32; 2 Tim. 1:8-10; 1 Tim. 6:11-12; Phil. 3:13-15; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Jesus came so that all men could be drawn to Him and reconciled to God. Jesus urges men to live Godly lives (Mark 12:29-31; John 15:10; John 14:21; John 14:15). He is the God-Man who lived a perfect life. Our God is holy and pure. He calls Christian men to be pure and holy like Him (1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Thess. 4:7). We are called to be set apart from the rest of the world (James 1:27). This is vital! Christ died for us to live a holy life. He gives us the power to live Godly lives. His love compels us to live Godly lives. He commands it! God calls us to love, trust, obey, and serve Him. He wants us to do this with everything we have. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.” (Mark 12:30). We are to love others also. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31). God calls men to love their families (wives and children) and their parents. He calls us to be strong, sensitive, caring, and compassionate. He calls Godly men to be a blessing. We are to bless not curse others. God wants us to live lives that strongly impact oth-ers for Him. He calls us to reflect Christ so that others will be drawn to Him (1 Peter 3:7-8; John 13:13-17; 1 John 3:16; Matt. 5:43-48). God calls us to be men of courage (Deut. 31:6). “We are not of those that shrink back and are destroyed but of those who believe and are saved.” (Heb. 10:39). We are not supposed to let fear overtake us or rule our lives. Fear motivates men to do things that disappoint, displease, anger, and grieve God. God also calls us to be men of vision (Prov. 29:18). God’s vision is our vision. We are called to live Godly lives and set our hopes, dreams, and future on Him. We are called to base our entire life and vision (for ourselves, families, and children) on Christ. God calls Christian men to be leaders. We are called to lead our family. We are supposed to lead by example in everything we do. Godly men are called to be responsible and accountable. Christian men are called by God to be providers and protectors for their families. Godly men are called to be relational. This is critical! You are called to connect with God, your wife, family, friends, and fellow Believers.
Attributes of a Godly Man
The attributes of a Godly man reflect his call. The Godly man strives to live his life the way God wants and equips him to live. You know when you have been around a Godly man. You sense God’s presence and peace in him. You want to be around him. You want to be his friend.
• He has a heart for God. He loves God and sincerely seeks to do His will.
• He has a reverent fear of God.
• He trusts and obeys God.
• He spends time with God daily. (prayer, quiet time)
• He reads his Bible.
• He walks with God. He confesses his sins, repents, and moves forward.
• He abides in Christ. He is God focused and God driven.
• He is completely dependent on God.
• He is humble. He does not think of himself too highly.
• He puts others first.
• He forgives.
• He is kind, compassionate, and loving.
• He is merciful.
• He gives back to God. He honors God with his time, talents, gifts, and money.
• He stores up treasures in Heaven not on earth. He is generous.
• He gives to others.
• He is a hard worker. Diligent and resourceful.
• He has a sound mind. He is self-controlled and alert.
• He is confident and leveled headed. Not tentative or double minded.
• He is courageous. Not ruled by anxiety and fear.
• He controls his temper. He is not ruled by his anger.
• He connects with his wife, family, children, and friends.
• He has close friends who are Godly men and does things with them.
• He lives a balanced life.
• He enjoys his private time, but is not a loner.
• He is active in and connected with his church.
• He has a healthy balance between family, work, and hobbies.
• He is sexually pure. He is faithful to his wife.
• He resists temptation, the world’s images and agenda.
• He has no addictions or idols. He is not controlled by lust, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, or anything.
• He keeps his promises. He tells the truth. He is honest.
• He lives to please God. He lives according to God’s standards.
• He is a leader. A servant leader. He follows Christ’s example.
• He keeps the Sabbath Day holy. He spends the day in worship and rest.
• He is used constantly and mightily by God.
• He has joy. God’s deep joy inside him.
• He is vibrant. He radiates Christ. He encourages others.
Equipped
God Almighty equips Christian men to live Godly lives (2 Peter 1:3-4). He does not choose and establish us without giving us the means to live Godly lives. Christ died to save us from eternal damnation and separation from Him, and to give us power over sin, power to love others, and power to live a Godly life! Jesus Christ knows the world we live in. He created it. He lived here as a man. All Godly men, no matter what their physical stature, race, vocation, financial status, and social position, are equipped to live a Godly life. The resources are there. We must choose to abide in and obey Christ. He gives us power to resist the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature. He equips us to fight the good fight and win! The same power that created the world and raises the dead, resides in the Godly man through the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no temptation or situation that God has not equipped us to resist, withstand, and overcome (1 Corn. 10:13). He is our Advocate. He is our Wonderful Counselor who equips us. Our enemies are His enemies. They are no match for the Living, Almighty God! Godly men in the Bible who abided in Him and obeyed Him experienced victory against all odds. God equips us as He equipped them to be Godly men. He finishes the job. He equips us with attributes and power to love and overcome in a godless world.
The Godly Man’s Influence
The Godly man makes a difference. He impacts people everywhere. The Godly man has a calm, peaceful, gentle, positive and friendly demeanor. He is humble. He is also strong, steadfast, confident, and focused. His Christ like presence is very appealing. People are blessed by him. They are changed because of him. The Godly man is a great husband, he loves and cherishes his wife. He connects with her on an intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual level. She is deeply moved by him and reciprocates with her love and respect for him. She wants to make him happy. They resolve conflicts. Their marriage thrives. The Godly man blesses and inspires his children. He connects with them deeply and relates to them in ways that make them feel secure and loved by him. Their experience growing up with a Godly father sets them up to seek, accept, trust, obey, and love their Heavenly Father. They draw close to Christ and live Godly lives because of their Godly father. The Godly man blesses his parents by honoring and loving them. The Godly man is the “iron that sharpens iron” for other Christian men. He compels, confronts, and stirs other men to be more like Christ. He comforts them during their difficult times. The Godly man blesses his church family. He participates in his church’s leadership, ministers to other members, and helps reach the lost for Christ. People take note of the Godly man wherever he goes. He’s different. He resists temptations. He is uncompromising about his beliefs. It shows. The Godly man does not apologize for being a Christian. People are drawn to him because of his gentle, caring, and loving spirit. They trust him.
Epilogue
God’s requires a great deal from His men. He also provides the means to be a Godly man. “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3). I know it isn’t easy to live this life as a Godly man, it’s a process and a journey to become more like Christ. It can be rough. There are endless challenges. Don’t be discouraged if you fall as you strive to live a Godly life! We all do. Don’t give up pursuing God. You will overcome. You will be victorious! It is Christ’s will that you live a Godly life! We won’t be perfect Godly men until we are with the Lord in Heaven. We can become more Godly each day. We move forward. Strive to be more Godly. Ask the Lord to help you. He will. You will experience the joy of victory as you abide in Christ, love others, do good, and resist evil. God wants you to pursue Him. He absolutely pursues you. Keep magnifying the Lord with your life. Encourage and challenge other Christian men to become more Godly. Time is running out. How do you want to live the rest of your life? Let Christ’s eternal love and resurrection power make you more like Him. Let Him make you more Godly! Make a difference for Him!