Fearlessly Courageous
From the Desk of Dennis Piller
8 11 2023
Achieving vs receiving. Authentic Manhood
What defines your manhood? Research tells us that the word manhood describes both the adult period in a male human’s life and the qualities that make him a man. Some people believe that a boy reaches manhood when he hits puberty, while others maintain that manhood is based on becoming independent and responsible.
In searching online one post said: There are four basic rules of manhood: no sissy stuff—there must be a relentless repudiation of femininity; be a big wheel—bring home the bacon; be a sturdy oak—be reliable in a crisis; give ’em hell—
take risks and do what has to be done.
And then…What is the number 1 rule for men? Man Rule #1: Don’t Cry –
You must be kidding me! Really? This is what society is pushing and promoting to our men and our young men and young lads. Meaning the call to be an authentic man of God has never been more needed or more real.
Authentic Manhood is a life that is built on the gospel of Jesus Christ and was modeled by Him in His 33 years on earth.
Joseph A. Vandello and Jennifer K. Bosson University of South Florida wrote a piece in 2013. Hard Won and Easily Lost: A Review and Synthesis of Theory and Research on Precarious Manhood.
Here are a couple of excerpts from a secular point of view.
“This article reviews evidence that manhood is seen as a precarious social status that is both difficult to achieve and tenuously held. Compared with womanhood, which is typically viewed as resulting from a natural, permanent, and biological developmental transition, manhood must be earned and maintained through publicly verifiable actions. Because of this, men experience more anxiety over their gender status than women do, particularly when gender status is uncertain or challenged.
When considering what it means to “be a man” in contemporary America, one easily slips into caricature. TV shows and commercials often lampoon men with hypermasculine stereotypes, depicting them as coarse, rugged, unemotional, and afraid of nothing (except acting “girly”). But what does it really mean to be a man? The language people use to talk about men often reflects anxiety, as if manhood itself is in jeopardy: We ask whether men have become “too soft,” we implore them to “man up” in the face of difficulties, and we question whether someone is “man enough” for the job (seemingly equating manhood with toughness and bravery).”
This view of manhood, moreover, transcends cultural boundaries: Regardless of culture-specific markers of masculinity, cultures around the world view manhood as a social status that must be earned and can be lost (Gilmore, 1990).
The thesis has three basic tenets: First, manhood is widely viewed as an elusive, achieved status, or one that must be earned (in contrast to womanhood, which is an ascribed, or assigned, status). Second, once achieved, manhood status is tenuous and impermanent; that is, it can be lost or taken away. Third, manhood is confirmed primarily by others and thus requires public demonstrations of proof”.
What is our part as a Godly man? Your part? First, take the oxygen mask that has dropped down before you and breathe. Receive what the Holy Spirit has for you and stop trying to achieve fame and success on your own independence. Take Jesus’s example and be dependent on God. Read His word and receive from God.
What does God say about receiving? That if we want to receive from the Lord we must ask with faith (Jam 1:6). And that if we ask with faith we will receive (Mk 11:24). “Ask, and it will be given to you; (Matt 7:7). If we ask more and believe more, we will receive more.
To be a man means to seek him above everything else. As a man, you are in a position of sonship. You will receive wisdom and humility that will shape your character and grow your leadership, in the light of Jesus’s example and lead you toward your purpose of extending His kingdom and His glory.
2 cor 6:18 says “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters!”
Being a real man means being a man after God’s own heart like King David. He made many serious mistakes but his heart was after God and God saw it and valued him as a son. He was successful because he loved and trusted God.
Look what God said to King Saul “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people,
because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”—1 Samuel 13:14
God has called us. He has given us the keys to His kingdom. He gave us redemption and says we are loved and blessed and significant in his eyes. We must receive His word and not the labels of the world. That will always be a choice a man of God makes every day in a hundred ways. Receive your validation and success and your meaning in life from God!
1 Peter 2: 45 says “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
You are chosen… as a man of God. Precious. Our manhood is built on his spiritual house…we are that holy priesthood. We have to decide to receive this holy validation of God’s truth.
As a man of God, you will not reject His spiritual correction. The Bible is our first source of correction. Do you want to talk with God? Read his word, listen, and grow into a strong Godly man! Ask him to give you a heart that welcomes correction and not see it as a failure but as an opportunity to grow.
• “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”—Hebrews 12:7-8
• “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”—Proverbs 9:8
You are the only one to decide who you will receive your instruction in Life.
Choose you this day who you will serve!
Waymaker
