Living in today’s society as a genuine follower of Jesus, has never been so difficult for men. We are swimming upstream against the ungodly current of culture, media, and the MANY opinions of the world. Every day we hear many voices screaming at us from friends, co-workers, family members and social media of HOW THEY THINK we need to be living. We are NOT called to live like the world! We are called to be set apart from the world and SHOW THEM how life is truly to be lived.
2 Corinthians 6:17 - “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you”
Romans 12:2 - “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Matthew 5:16 - “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Gentlemen, we must be men who are FOCUED on following Jesus and fulfilling the plan and purpose God has given to us. We will discover what God’s plan is, as we spend time alone with God in PRAYER, and as we READ our Bibles. We will begin to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit revealing what God wants for us, and as we begin to ACT in faith to do what He say’s, He will provide EVERYTHING we need to live it out.
2 Peter 1:3 - “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue”
God has called men to live like Jesus lived, and to imitate God.
1 John 2:6 NLT - ”Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.“
Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT - ”Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.“
This is a HUGE calling and impossible to do, BUT this is our calling and we MUST strive and fight for this every day. The truth is, we will never live just like Jesus lived (He was God and He was sinless and we are not), BUT we should desire to live like him. We should pray to live like Him. We should work hard at living like Him. This is our calling as Christian men!
Now in this pursuit of living like Jesus and imitating God, you must understand TWO IMPORTANT WARNINGS.
#1. Satan, our enemy and his evil spirits will oppose you in spiritual warfare with attempts to discourage you, distract you and prevent you from fulfilling your calling.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT - ”A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.“
1 Thessalonians 2:18 NLT - ”We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us.“
#2. You can't do it alone!
You need genuine, mature, humble and bold Christian brothers in your corner to STAND WITH YOU in your pursuit of your calling. Men who will listen to you, pray with you and for you, encourage you and lovingly and humbly call you out and hold you accountable.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12a NLT - ”Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer."
Galatians 6:1-2 NLT - ”Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.“
