Part 3: How To Be A Man

One of the problems with having your wife read your blogs, is the expectation level on such topics as manhood. If I disclose what I believe may be true about manhood, I will probably be rightfully chastised about not living up to what I know. If manhood were anything but what I am about to propose, it would be more readily corrected, e.g. lift more weights, buy a gun and holster, or morph into my wifes or societies ideal. Since I am looking for an absolute idea and not a relativistic ideal of manhood, I will pass on all human expectations and attempt to see what scripture may reveal.

The Bible says that God created them male and female and that "they" were created in his image. Since both man and women were created in God's image, being a man or woman makes you no more or no less a person with immense worth (Ge. 1:26-28). To debase or degrade another person because of their sex is to challenge their equality, in person and status before God.

In my opinion, the biblical bedrock for the sound formation of manhood is humility. We have the perfect example of Jesus given by PAul in the following passage:

Philippians 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death� even death on a cross!

Christ humility is 2 fold: as God he humbles himself by becoming man, as man, he humbles himself for those he loves by the most shamefull means of death known to ancient man, crucifixion. It was not that he only died for those he loved, but he died in apparent shame before his enemies and those who loved him. This deep humility must be our guidepost for true manhood.

Men are expected to be leaders in their home. Some have taken this to mean a "king of the castle" philosophy of manhood, and have demanded to be served as such. Men are kings of the castle, but with a biblical definition, it is a much less appealing definition to the modern male. The following verse presents Jesus view of leadership:

Mark 10: 41-45

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Being a man requires humility and service. If Jesus came to serve and not be served, we have not right a leaders in our home to treat our wives and children as servants, but we are to lead them as a servant. Stay tuned for more mind numbing wisdom on manhood! TOTT