Continuing this series:
A real man leads courageously
Going back to the analogy of knighthood, a real man leads even when no one is following or watching. You see, if we have read the Book (Bible), we know God’s ways and we know what is pleasing to Him and what is not. We finally understand who we are now – In Christ and that we can really make a difference right where God has planted us. We still have a choice. We can come up higher – and become the true princes of heaven we are called to be, or we can settle for a mediocre and bland existence where we just barely scrape by and are hanging on by our our fingernails; just like the rest of the world. Reminds me of a wonderful hymn:
- I have decided to follow Jesus;
- I have decided to follow Jesus;
- I have decided to follow Jesus;
- No turning back, no turning back.
- Though none go with me, still I will follow;
- Though none go with me, still I will follow;
- Though none go with me, still I will follow;
- No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow. That is powerful. Once we make up our minds to follow Jesus, we must set our faces like flint to stay the course though no one is following or leading us. When we were young, we often looked for approval from our peers, or some authority figure in our lives. Now, our approval does not come from man, or any man or woman; our approval comes from God, our Father. Yes, many of the things the world offers seem simple, often good from a human perspective. But, we hold ourselves to a higher standard now. We will live righteously and confront evil at every turn. We will do the right thing – because that’s what God would have us to do.
We have chosen the way of light, the way of life. Thus, we can no longer be friendly or tolerant to the forces of darkness. You must understand, this is a fight! We have entered into battle whether we see it in the natural or not, we have entered into a spiritual battle for the hearts, minds and souls of men and women the world over. And, we need to prepare ourselves because this is a fight to the death. Either our old man will die, or we will never rise up as we must! We must overcome our natural lusts and tendencies. We must separate ourselves from the world and become separate unto God and Jesus. We must be obedient to God.
When the knock on the door comes at 3 am, ,and you and your family are pulled from your beds and herded into the street to be shuffled off to only God knows where – what will you do? When you are bound and beaten, and told to recant your allegiance to Jesus or you will see your children suffer and die – what will you do? When everything you love is ripped and torn from you – what will you do? You say, that will never happen in America? Really? Have you seen the news lately? Jesus tells us we need to count the cost.
Luke 14:28-29 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it — lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish”?
Jesus goes on to say in verse 33 whoever does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple. When we talk of manhood, at least for my purposes, I am speaking of becoming men of God. Not men of Wall Street, or Market Street, or Pennsylvania Avenue. We are called to a higher purpose and we need to count the cost before we are faced with the difficult choices we may have to face. Jesus also told us we would be persecuted:
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
So, make up your mind right now. Will you follow Jesus no matter what it costs? Will you serve Him by reaching out to the lost, the bound, the disenfranchised, the disinterested, the vile and the wicked? Will you wash the feet of a poor filthy homeless man? Will you feed those that hunger even though their plight is their own fault? Will you visit those in jail or prison for horrendous crimes against humanity and offer them hope and salvation? Will you? How about you sir? Will you?
Here’s a recipe for a leader and a true man of God:
Live simply. Never lie – it takes too much effort to remember who you told what… Love everyone and walk in love – Jesus does. Fear God alone and nothing else. Do not worry – cast all your cares on Jesus. Forgive everyone – especially yourself. Give more and expect less in return. Stand your ground – never compromise with evil. Become a man of the Word ~ not a man of the world. Be a witness and share your story.God bless you in the mighty name of Jesus!
Father, we thank you for your loving kindness and generosity to man! We thank you for Jesus! We thank you for your Holy Spirit! We thank you that we are your sons and daughters and that you have your hand upon each one of us. We thank you that we are becoming what you created us to be and that you will complete the work you have begun in every one of us. Please help us stay the course and navigate through the tempests we will face. Please help us to never deny you – the author and finisher of our faith. Help us to reach out to all those we encounter and offer them the light of the world – Jesus! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
The Warrior Anointing 