The Measure of a Man!

It is not often that I am gender specific when I sit down to write, and of course when I am I feel more comfortable being specific to women than men. However, when I awoke very early this morning, I heard the words, “the measure of a man.” The world itself appreciates when there is a man, a real man, who will step forward in the power of his convictions and not be swayed by public opinion. While there may not be agreement, there is respect!

As we pray and seek God this year – it is essential for believers to pray for men – yes, it is no doubt that women need prayer too – but men need to rise up – to take that dominion that God has given them – to be secure in their faith, and to be secure in their salvation. For when your faith and your security is in God, you can withstand opposition, trusting the results to God!

God has commissioned the leaders of our churches, which in the time the New Testatment was written, were men – to grow up into the measure of the stature of Christ. In Ephesians 4 we read:

12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth

Ephesians 4:12-14 (NLT) – [You really get clarity when you read the Message]

God’s plan for leadership was to equip and build people into the image and likeness of Christ; not carried away with the doctrines of the times, which change – but to be “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

I hear so often the phrase, “that is old school” – in reference to the dictates and policies of the church. I confess, I AM OLD SCHOOL! I believe that God has led me iinto the pathway of His truth through His Word and that Word is a plumbline for my life, including that which I am to teach others. Have I always made the mark, I would be the first to say no. I have failures and regrets in my life, just lke everyone else. But I would never change the Word of God, or refuse to teach truth, to excuse those failures.

The measure of a man is not how perfect He walks, but how willing he is to measure his walk by the Word of God, and when found lacking to repent and turn… Oh that men would stand up, cry out, spare not – lift up a banner for God’s people – before it’s too late!

God Bless You,
Maria