What does it mean to be a man of God? This question does not concern what others believe to be true, but what does God say on this issue. In its simplest form, it is one who is consistently pursuing to duplicate the character of God in their own lives. There is no magic button to push, nor list of rules to follow. Becoming a man of God is a lifelong endeavor to first learn the character of God and then, through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, take on that character as your own.
One of the clearest pictures of this man is painted for us by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to his young friend, Timothy. The characteristics he lists define a man who is consistently and purposefully pursuing God’s character. In the context, the Apostle is listing the qualities of one who would desire to become a leader in the church. However, the position of leader in your home or your witness at work is even more vital, and therefore, needs similar attention. Consequently, this list applies to all of us.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
God does not call us to perfection, but to a desire to strive to exemplify life qualities that reflect his image and give him glory. This process involves submitting those things in our lives which do not reflect Christ and allowing his Holy Spirit to remove them through confession and repentance. Step two is to replace the old with the new. This begins when we renew our minds by running each life decision, big or small, through the grid of this question, “How will this decision reflect on who I am in Christ?”
Please note an important feature of the qualities Paul lists. They have to do with a man’s reputation, ethics, morality, temperament, and habits, as well as his spiritual and phycological maturity. God knows your true heart and if it is purely pursuing his best, these qualities will begin to shine through.
NOTE to faithful readers: Due to travel and other responsibilities, I will be re-publishing previous posts for the next few weeks. New posts will return in early October. Thank you.