For the most part, contemporary society and its brokenness can be directly linked to the upstream problem with men. The downstream issues that are negatively impacting our cities and families come from fatherless families or households where dad is not emotionally involved in leading his tribe. Consequently, there is a direct link to a myriad of social ills such as homelessness, juvenile delinquency, pornography, poverty, crime, orphans, homosexuality, and a host of other emotional disorders.
Friends, we have a moral and spiritual war going on that is as equally devastating as nuclear bombs being dropped on our country. Men must rise-up and become warriors for God and their families or this culture is doomed. We must lovingly project an agenda of hope, strength, courage, and great character to the younger generation.
A boisterous call is going out for godly men who are determined and courageous to go to battle. This is not a physical battle, but a spiritual, moral, and cultural one. The apostle Paul heard of their struggles and wrote two letters to the young men involved with the church in Corinth. Paul confronted them with the sin in their culture and the need for corrective action and a clear commitment to Christ. He especially rallied the men to engage with their corrupt culture and the disillusioned leaders who lost their passion to know God and make Him known.
His admonishment rings true today: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14) If we are to take back our culture from the wickedness and false doctrines that have permeated the very souls of many men and their families, we should follow the same instructions Paul gave the church of Corinth.
Our battle isn’t with the opposite sex, but with our own complacency and disengagement from the political, social, and personal processes that disenfranchise us from creating a worldview that embraces respect, love, hope, and dignity for all. We need to win the battle for the sake of our families, especially our sons, and our country. I believe that God is calling men all over this land to return to Him. Twenty-first century manhood needs to root itself back into the biblical values that create a stable culture. God is calling us to love our wives sacrificially to honor, respect, and protect women in general. God is calling us to father and mentor our children by living under the same roof; to treat them gently, leading them and modeling for them what it means to follow Jesus.
Personal Application
Too many boys and young men have grown up with no positive role models in their immediate family. They have had no one to show them, by modeling a respectful life, how to be a man. Who could you mentor this coming year?
“So, I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30
Excerpts from Act Like Men – Be Strong by Dr. Jim Grassi, part of the new Promise Keepers Collection Library. Go to mensministrycatalyst.org to order your copy.
Pray
Ask God to guide you to a younger person who could appreciate your wisdom and encouragement.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.