Continuing Michael's message, he asks: What does it look like to “Man
Up”? One attribute of “manning up” is that our strength is in God.
Psalm
46:1 says, "God is our
refuge and strength..." Isaiah 49 says, "He gives power to the faint and to them who
have no might He increases strength." Another attribute is perseverance. Colossians
1:11 says, “Strengthened with all
might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering
with joyfulness”. James 1:1-4 says “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall
into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works
patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing.”
A third attribute is integrity,
2
Corinthians 8:21 says “Providing
for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of
men.” According to Psalm 41:12, “And as for me, you uphold me in my integrity, and set me before your
face for ever.” Overcoming is another characteristic of “manning up”.
Who is he that overcomes the world? 1 John 5:4-5 says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the
world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is
he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of
God?”
Another aspect of “manning
up” is to do what is needed. According to James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves.” Galatians 3:9 says, and be not weary in well doing for in due
season we shall reap if we faint not. James 4:17 says, he who knows to do right and doesn't do
it. To him it is sin. It's only by God's grace and mercy that
when we sin, we can “man up” and hand it to Him. “Manning up” is to surrender
our will to His will and our ability to His ability. Romans 13:14 says, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make
not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” On our
own we can do nothing. To “man up” means that God is our sufficiency in
all things.
We all have two
fathers. One is our earthly father or the father figure who taught us the
Word of God. God is our Heavenly Father who loves us and will never
forsake us. When we “man up” by surrendering our will to His holy will, we will
understand these lyrics of an old hymn: “Make me a captive Lord, and then
I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword and I shall conqueror be. I
sink in life's alarms if by myself I stand, Imprison me within thine arms and
free shall be my stand.” God exhorts us to “Man Up” and “Woman Up”. To rise up
as men and women of God. And in so doing, may we ever live to the praise of
the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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