Transparent Freedom

A man is someone who rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects a greater reward–God’s reward.

Robert Lewis

Certainly there are many definitions of “man” out there, but ask the simple question, “What is a man?” to almost any group and you’re bound to get ambiguous answers, humorous stereotypes, or blank stares.

The definition above from Lewis is a simple, universal, four-part expression that offers a great answer to the question–one we ought to memorize, live by, and pass on to our sons.

Reject Passivity
Unlike Adam passively allowing the enemy to destroy, Jesus Christ initiated.  Jesus refused to be passive when sin encroached upon the created order.  He was spiritually and socially aggressive.

Look at the action words in Philippians 2:5-8 that describe Christ’s redemptive activity:

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Accept Responsibility
There are three primary areas of responsiblity that men must embrace with enthusiasm: a will to obey (God’s will as revealed in the Scriptures), a work to do (not just in the work of his job, but also the work in his home, church, and community) and a woman to love (his wife).

Lead Courageously
Men were created to lead!  It’s not a choice; the only question is whether you are leading well or poorly as a man.  Leadership demands that men have the courage to master their passions and bridle themselves with the principle of truth.  The courage to lead with truth rather than surrender to feelings always separates the men from the boys.

Expect the Greater Reward
Real manhood was designed by God to be liberating and a means of great reward.  If you think the call to manhood is a call merely to heavy responsibility and dutiful sacrifice, then you’ve completely missed the example of Jesus.  Yes, real manhood is at times rigorous; it demands courage and requires sacrifice.  Nevertheless, it is primarily a call to life!

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

It was the “for the joy set before Him.”  There is joy in this life from acting manfully, and even greater: the fullness of joy forevermore after this life.

A man is someone who rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects a greater reward–God’s reward.

(From Raising a Modern-Day Knight, by Robert Lewis)

Next Week: Act Manfully (4): Lessons in Manhood from Adam.