BECOMING A MAN OF GOD

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  ‎Fight the good fight of faith….  (1 Timothy 6:11-12a)

One day the church doors are going to open and your casket will be rolled down the aisle.  Family will stand there grieving and friends will file by to pay their last respects.  What will they say about you?  When people gaze upon my still form, the one thing I want most for them to say is, “He was a man of God.”  I can think of no greater title.  No better legacy could be left to our children, men, than that.  Whatever else we leave behind, if those who know us best can say, “He was a man of God,” then we have lived a life worth living.  Paul tells us how in 1 Timothy 6.

The man of God knows what to FLEE (v.11a).  The expression “these things” are those discussed in verses 1-10.  There are some things that we must steer clear of or they will ruin our testimony.  What must we flee?

We flee a lazy aptitude (v.1-2).  The man of God is a man of industry and integrity on his job.  He gives a day’s work for a day’s wage.  Men of God are certainly faithful to worship at the church on Sunday, but they are likewise faithful to work at the job on Monday.  Scripture exhorts that whatever we do to do all to the glory of God!

We flee a lofty attitude (v.3-5). The man of God cannot be arrogant and egotistical—full of devilish pride.  Such a spirit is marked by ignorance (v.3-4a), intolerance (v.4b), and impurity (v.5).

We flee a lustful appetite (v.5-10).  As stated earlier we have a responsibility to be effective and excellent employees.  Yet, we dare not become workaholics or idolaters.   You can’t worship God and mammon.  Real success is found in verse 6.

The man of God also knows what to FOLLOW (v.11b).  It isn’t enough to be noted as to what you are against, but what you are for.

The man of God pursues “righteousness.”  He is right with God through faith in Christ and right with others through forgiveness.

He pursues “godliness.”  We reflect the character of God.  People see Jesus in us.  

He pursues “faith.”e HH  The man of God is a man of faith.  Faith comes from the Word and is expressed in prayer.  Are you a man of the Word and prayer?

He pursues “love.”  Love is the preeminent virtue.  It is the great commandment—loving God with all our being and our neighbor as ourselves.

He pursues “patience.”  There is no magic pill to take to become a man of God.  We must also display patience with others.

He pursues “gentleness.”  We recognize that people are delicate—that they have sensitive feelings.  We don’t run over people.

The man of God knows when to FIGHT (v.12).  God has issued a call to arms.

We need to acknowledge the reality of the conflict.  Some of us don’t realize there is a war.  Satan is on the rampage because he knows his time is short.  Our faith, our freedom, and our family are under assault.  Wake up!  Get up!  Stand up!

We will then attain the reward of the conquest.  There is a victor’s crown.  Scripture promises a reward to the overcomer.

Many years ago I made a commitment to be a man of God.  Today I renew that goal.  Will you join me?  Ladies, will you pray for the men?

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Rejection of Contentiousness

“A bishop then must be…gentle, not quarrelsome…” (1 Timothy 3:2,3 NKJV)

These two words taken together mean that a pastor rejects a contentious attitude and refuses contentious acts.  Gentleness is the attitude we embrace and saying kind words is the activity we evidence rather than being quarrelsome with our talk.  It is first an attitude before it is an action.

Mark it down—find someone who is always trying to start a conflict with someone, they are experiencing conflict in their soul.  The tension between the flesh and the Spirit, doubt and faith, obedience or disobedience—too often yielding to sin rather than surrendering to God in this war within, with accompanying guilt and shame—is the source of strife with others.  We must be at peace in our souls, submitted to the sovereignty of God, if we would exhibit peace with those made in His image.  Bitterness toward God and His dealings with us—our disappointment with Him—leads to belligerence toward others in our dealings with them.

But do we reject all contentiousness?  Is there not a time, “to contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3)?  Absolutely!  There will be need to stand for truth, yet we can do it compassionately as well as clearly.  Our message may be confrontational, but our motive and manner can be caring.  The preacher who has a disposition marked by ill-will is what is forbidden.  Such a man is always spoiling for a fight—eager to cast down the gauntlet over trivial matters.  We must contend for things that are essential to the Gospel, and stand for principle, while not being contentious about preferences in extraneous and peripheral issues.  The pastor dare not be a “Bible bully!”

The ISV renders this, “He must not be argumentative,” and The Message paraphrases it, “not thin-skinned.”  Beware having an ego that is easily bruised with its accompanying reactions.  Greek scholar, Kenneth Wuest commented that a pastor, “does not go about with a chip on his shoulder.”  If you do, someone will knock that chip off and then there is a brawl.  How this undermines the credibility of our message of love—such a contradiction!

A PRAYER

Tender and Long-suffering Lord,

How much You put up with concerning us!  We are so grateful that You are not thin-skinned!  If you were, there would be no hope for us.  Help us be patient in our dealings with others.  Remind us that to skin the hide of the sheep is to slaughter them!  Rather, let us lead them with kindness instead of driving them with contentiousness.  May our souls be calm in submission to Your will, whatever our circumstances may be.  Help us be led of the Spirit and not reacting out of fleshly impulse.  Remind us to take a deep breath, and think before we speak.  Cause our faces to be warm and inviting, instead of wrathful and rejecting.
In Christ’s Name and for His Sake,
Amen.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Spirit of Gentleness

“A bishop then must be…gentle…” (1 Timothy 3:2,3 NKJV)

Gentleness is an attribute of Jesus, the Great Shepherd.  In this, as in everything, He is our Model.

Christ’s ministry was in fulfillment of Isaiah 42:3, “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench” (ESV), as quoted in Matthew 12:20.  Picture a plant whose stem has been bent and bruised.  It must be cared for with great tenderness or it will break and not survive.  A smoldering wick is almost gone out.  It requires a gentle breath to reignite the flame—blow just a little too hard and the fire is gone forever.

There are people like that we encounter all the time in ministry.  Life has bent them over with crushing burdens.  They are bruised and at the breaking point.  The fire of hope which once burned so brightly has been virtually quenched.  Good shepherds reach out with tender touch, and gentle voice, lest we do more damage than good.

This is the spirit of gentleness.  It is the spirit of Jesus.  This is the fruit the Holy Spirit will produce in us, if we but cultivate it.  God help us to do so!

A PRAYER

Gentle Shepherd,

How grateful we are for your tender touch!  Where would we be today, if You had not reached down into the mud and gently lifted us?  You might have stomped on us—we had no business being there—but instead You stooped and scooped us up in Your arms.  Lord, there are so many in Your flock that are struggling today—just ground down to the verge of despair.  We see it in the weariness in the eyes, the slump of the shoulders and shuffle in the steps.  We hear it in their sighs.  Please give me the breath of Jesus to rekindle their zest for life and zeal for the eternal.
In the Name and in the Spirit of Christ,
Amen.