Jesus Christ: The Exemplar of Manly Dominion

In a book I am reading right now entitled Manly Dominion, Mark Chanski is motivating me to not just passively surrender to cowardice in my life, but to aggressively and courageously pursue Christ. The first few chapters are full of biblical men who exercised courage and manliness in their lives: Abraham, Noah, Joshua, David, David's mighty men, Nehemiah, and Paul. Our greatest example of manliness, however, is the Lord Jesus Christ "who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted" (Hebrews 12:3).

From the very beginning of his life till the very end of it, Jesus faced overwhelming circumstances but he never gave in to those. What a motivation for me to press on and "play the man."

John Flavel a great Puritan, writes to us regarding our obligation to aggressively and courageously, not passively and cowardly serve Christ:

Are you staggered at your sufferings, and hard things you must endure for Christ in this world? Doth the flesh shrink back from these things and cry, spare thyself? What is there in the world more likely to steel and fortify thy spirit with resolution and courage, than such a sight as this? Did Chrsit face the wrath of men, and the wrath of God too? Did he stand as a pillar of brass, with unbroken patience, and steadfast resolution, under such trouble as never met in the like height upon any mere creature, for a trifle? Ah did He not serve me so! I will arm myself with the like mind.

Dost thou idle away precious time vainly, and live unusefully to Christ in thy generation? What is more apt to convince and cure thee, than such remembrance of Christ as this? O when thou considerest thou art not thine own, thy time, thy talents are not thine own, but Christ's; . . .This will powerfully awaken a dull, sluggish, and lazy spirit. In a word, what grace is ther that that this remembrance of Chrst cannot quicken? What sin cannot it mortify: What duty cannot it animate: O it is of singular use in all cases for the people of God.

Men, in the face of intimidating obstacles, crippling insecurities, fears of failure, love of ease, and temptations to sloth, not to mention antagonistic personalities, overwhelming circumstances and seemingly impossible odd, let's with God's help today work out our own salvation with fear and trembling!

Act Like Men!

Grace Community Church just completed a men's weekend conference at the Master's College. Nathan Busenitz blogged about it here. The first address was delivered by John MacArthur on Acting Like Men before God. Among other things he pressed home the truth that as men we must begin with knowledge of the word of God, then truly believe that knowledge deeply and finally love the Word of God and its truth wholeheartedly. He outlined this process as knowledge, information and affection.

He asked, "What is it to be manly? It is to stand firm in the principles and purposes of God, to go forward for the sake of the kingdom, knowing that God has given us the strength and promised us the victory."

True men are courageous, but courage doesn't flow from mere knowledge or principle, it flows from affection. At one point he remarked, "In many ways today, we are watching the emasculation of the church. We have a church without courage, without conviction, in which the Word of God is de-emphasized. What we need is men who love Christ, love the truth, and stand boldly for what they love."

Yes, Lord, give us men men who stand firm on the Word, who are informed by Scripture, who act courageously, who live counter-culturally, and who are strong in Christ! Give us Davids who rally others by stating, "Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”(2 Samuel 10:12)

The need for godly men!

Pastor John MacArthur discusses the need for godly men in this video clip from the Resolved Conference.