Thursday, March 14, 2013

Godly Men and Youth in the Church

     What is biblical masculinity? A good spot to look to be a godly man is in Titus 2:1-2,6-8
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
Likewise, urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
     First you will notice that the list of requirements for the young men is longer than for the old. That could be because we need the most help, when the young person gets these down he will be more sanctified when he is old, or that the person that Paul is writing to is a young men, thus he will elaborate a little more. What is interesting is that this list for young men is similar the list for an overseer or an elder in Titus 1:7-9.
      Older men are to be temperate, not excessive. The next command is shared with the young man, that is dignity, not childishness, not unintelligence, and not skinny jeans... Dignity is a virtue even when it is looked down upon. Men are to be dignified but not arrogant they are to be "in love." Now let us practice dignity for a second, take the first thought that came to mind out. Love in the Bible is a choice towards someone, a commitment for their betterment. It is not only a feeling or sentiment but part of you volition. You choose to love someone. Older men are love the people around them, to desire their good.
       Older men are to be sound in faith, younger men are to be pure in doctrine. Young men have an uncanny knack to get involved in false doctrine, for whatever reason, even when they know better, and they usually do it just because, which sets them apart from the older man. The older man often chooses their heresy for gain or to protect their sin and failures. That is only what I have noticed in my experience, which is fallible. Let us avoid these pit falls, and depend on the Scriptures to teach us and let us humble ourselves before God's Word, for they are His commandments.
    Older men are to persevere in what is good, not to get lazy or let loose once in a while. Always remain dignified, temperate, and loving, no matter what the occasion.
    Young men are to be an example of good deeds, not just a doer of good deeds, people should look up to the young men of the church to know how to do what is good. The young man is active in good deeds.
     Young  men are to have sound speech. They are to be clean, sensible, not outrages or impure. Their conversation is to be that which is transparent, so the enemy, whether human or supernatural, will have no bases to attack God's church. Now how different is that to the youth of today's church. If a church's young people are above reproach, that alone, will set it way above all other churches. Imagine all the insults and all the bad things that the enemy has said against us because of our young people!
      Well, I hope that is encouraging and helpful. I have written another post on this issue before as well as a post that the admin wrote.

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