Be the Real Man in 2014

Year 2013 is now history and there are many issues that you and I have gone through particularly as men and we can look back and either applause or regret what we went through. We can do nothing about year 2013. We have the year 2014 with us now. What different ways are we going to use to become the real men this year?

1 Kings 2:1-4: When David's time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, "I'm about to go the way of all the earth, but you--be strong; show what you're made of! Do what GOD tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you'll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then GOD will confirm what he promised me when he said, "If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you'll always have a successor on Israel's throne.' (MSG)

1 Corinthians 16:13: “Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you've got, be resolute”, (MSG) 

In the first passage David is giving his death-bed charge to his son Solomon who was to succeed him as the next king of Israel. He told him to show himself a man and told him what that involved. It meant doing God’s will, being obedient to God’s word, living as God would have him live. That was real manhood.

In the second passage, Paul was instructing Christians in Corinth how to be faithful disciples. Among the instructions he gave “was give it all you've got.” This means do everything as a real man would. Every age has its desperate need for real man. We make a distinction between just being a male and being a real man.

Jeremiah 5:1: "Patrol Jerusalem's streets. Look around. Take note. Search the market squares. See if you can find one man, one woman, A single soul who does what is right and tries to live a true life. I want to forgive that person." GOD's Decree. (MSG) Jeremiah could find any number of males. But the instructions imply he would have difficulty finding a real man, the kind and quality described.

1. Then who is a Real Man?

Just what is a real man? Real manhood is not measured in physical power or prowess. It means more than being physically strong with big biceps, tall, broad shoulders, etc. It takes more than physical bravery, athletic achievement, muscles, etc. to be classified as a real man in the sight of God.

It is more than mental power, quickness of mind and wit. Solomon was the wisest to have ever lived except the Christ. Yet he failed to heed the very directions his father David gave him. He lived an indulgent life of luxury, gradually turning to idolatry. He lived his life through in much wantonness, only to come to the ultimate conclusion that all that kind of life was vanity and vexation of spirit. There are many “wise men” of our time, scholars, geniuses in some respects, that show themselves to be fools because they even deny the reality of God. They are not real men.

2. His Maturity

Paul shows that real manhood is manifested by maturity in those things that matter. Behavior like a man should go before you call yourself a man. Do not continue to be as a child in conduct and think you are a man. Being a man, you should put away childish things and accept the duties, work, and obligations of manhood before you classify yourself as a man. The real man is one who accepts his duty to God and his fellowman, whatever that duty is, and discharges it faithfully and to the best of his ability. Just being a male does not mean you are or shall necessarily ever be a real man in the evaluation of God.

There are many poor excuses for men filling the roles of husbands and fathers today because they either do not know or will not accept their duty to God and man, wife, children, home, church, etc.

3. He is the Head

What is the duty of a real man? He is to be the head of the home as Christ is head of the church. This is not an arbitrarily assigned duty, but one that has been designated by the Creator of the home, Almighty God.  

4. He is Decisive

There are decisions in the home that the husband ought be man enough to make, not leaving them to the wife to have to make when many times she prefers not to have to make them. Many wives have to make decisions they ought never be called upon to make because their husbands shirk the duty that is theirs. A wife has a right to a husband that will lead the family aright.

5. He takes the Lead

Notice, we said the husband ought to lead. We did not say and would not contend that the husband is to drive his wife and family. Attempting to be a dictator and tyrant is not manly. A leader is always considerate of those he leads, sensitive to their needs and what is in their best interest before himself. Only when he is a real leader is he a real man.

6. He is to Provide

He has the duty to provide for the family as best as he can. God gave man this duty, to earn bread by the sweat of his brow. Unless there are reasons why he cannot provide for his family it is unmanly for him to allow others to provide for him. Too many men have allowed their wives to go to work outside the home and the children have been neglected for the sake of more and more money and the things money can buy. You may not have as much, but what you can have will be worth far more than to have all that this world offers and lose the precious souls of your children through your neglect, lack of attention, failure to supervise and guide.

1 Timothy 5:8: “Anyone who neglects to care for family members in need repudiates the faith. That's worse than refusing to believe in the first place”. (MSG)

Advice to young men: Boys, do not marry until you are willing and can carry the load. You have no right to violate God’s will by bringing children into a home that is turned upside down through love of money. Learn to do your duty, both the husband and wife. That is God’s way.

7. Be the Example

A real man is a good example to follow. A real man is an example of honesty, clean living, clean speech, obedience to the laws, respect for authority, truthfulness. Real men will be concerned for the home and everyone in it. They will make time to be with their children and see to it that they are growing in the right direction. So many parents really do not know their children because they spend so few hours with them during the time of their upbringing. They are strangers to their children.

Real men are examples of morality, responsibility, work, and purity. Real men do not commit adultery. Real men do not forsake their families. Real men show the dignity and honor of labor to their family. A real man holds these things high on his list of that which is deserving of esteem.

8. He is the Spiritual Guide

No man is a real man who is not responsible for the spiritual welfare of those of his family, including his wife and every child.

Proverbs 22:6: “Point your kids in the right direction-- when they're old they won't be lost”. (MSG)

Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master”. (MSG)

This is a duty that cannot be shifted to another. Others may help, and others may have to do it because the father fails to do it, but fathers are not real men who think all they have to do is provide food, shelter, clothing, money, etc., and forsakes the duty of spiritual guidance and instruction. A real man is Christ like, walking daily in the ways of the Lord, living obediently to His every command. This takes courage, honor, conviction, loyalty, and sacrifice. But to be a real man demands it.

My friends; Nobody has the right to claim to be a real man until the souls of his wife and children are first and foremost in his concern. Until you do your duty before God, regardless of whatever measure you may use to test your manhood, you are not there until God approves of you. We all do well to hear and heed David’s words to Solomon, “show what you're made of”. BE a faithful Christian, lead the home, provide as best you can, be a good example, and show those in your charge the way to heaven. That is being real man.

Finally

The onus is yours. Yes you can be the Real Man. Failure does mean that is who you are. It is only an event. You can make a difference in 2014 as a man. The younger men are looking for a Real Man who can mentor them. 2014 is here for you to be that man.