- John Piper
So here's the deal... I have trust issues...BIG ones, especially with men.
I am not jaded by any means but I can honestly say that I have never seen a successful relationship and obviously have yet to be a part of one ( and I can only blame myself.) Now men don't get too defensive when reading this ...my next post will be about what it looks like to be a godly woman and boy is that revealing.
At this point I don't want a Christian guy, I need a Godly man to lead me and love me even when I am at my worst. I'm pretty sure that I know who that man is but alas I do not expect or want perfection effort is all I care for... Below you will find a few wise things Mr. Geoff Ashley compiled about what a real man is, so I thought I would share.
What does it mean to be a man? Does it mean you have to drive fast, shoot guns, spit tobacco, win fights, and change tires? While it certainly offers a corrective against the femininity of some men, it does so at the expense of balance. Did not the same Lord who made a whip and cleaned out the temple also weep over the very city in which that temple was located? Did not the same Jesus who stood up to the authorities of the day also submit Himself to them and their laws? Did not the same Lord who uses His enemies as a footstool wash the feet of his friends?
Statement of manhood
" At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man's differing relationships." -John Piper
What is True Leadership?
1. Service and Sacrifice
2. Delegation and recognition of one's own weakness and needs
3. A general pattern of initiative
4. Strong and tender pursuit of romantic relationships
5. Sensitivity (to some degree) to cultural expressions of masculinity
6. Recognition that a call to leadership is a call to humility and risk
How should a man love his wife?
-As Christ loved the church
with
1. Humility- Phillipians 2:6-7
2. Service- Matthew 20:25-28
3. Sacrifice- Ephesians 5:25
I WOULD have to say that the following attributes can only be found in One and that these attributes of a "godly" man are pretty impossible. But I think when a man or woman is in Christ anything is possible ....and that is so exciting!
Attributes of a Godly Man:
- Knows where his strength comes from
- Tenacious
- Confident in God
- Respected
- Full of wisdom
- Gentle
- Willing to be a servant
- Willing to fight against all odds
- One who chases after God.
- One who knows who he is in God
- One who holds his brothers strong and helps them to stand
- One who doesn’t back down under fire
- Humble
- Passionate
- Obedient
- Selfless
Attributes of an Ungodly Man
- Self absorbed
- a Hypocrite
- Lazy
- Predial
- Selfish
- Self confident (confidence comes from self not God)
- a Coward
- Takes the easy way
- Spineless
- Unwilling to be a leader
- Insecure
- Greedy
- A traitor
- Condemning/Judgmental
- Tolerant of his own sin
- Hard Hearted
Love, and all that it entails, is the most important quality and the best way to make God known in the world we live. All these other qualities make a “good” man, a strong man, even an effective man.
But without love (so aptly described in 1 Cor 13) one cannot be godly. Without love the other virtues are vain. Love is the great motivator, and the way for others to know we are believers, and the way to know if we abide in him.
“Tho I speak with tongues of man and of angels, and have not love, I am become as a clanging brass or tinkling cymbal.”
“Love… rejoices in the truth.” (honest)
“Love…always protects.” (defender of the weak)
Prophecies cease, tongues still, knowledge vanishes. “Love never fails” (faithful)
