Manhood and what it means to Man Up

Manhood summarized sufficiently but not exhaustively: A one woman man, above reproach, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, not a drunk, not combative, gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. If he has children  one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity. He's not a new convert, he must have a good reputation with those outside the church...a man of dignity, not double-tongued (two faced) but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 

Someone once said there's nothing new under the sun and that's true. If you're a Christian who reads their Bible (I'm told there are those who don't), then you know I'm summarizing 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. People seem to think that these passages pertain to supermen, or super saints. The fact is that these traits are what every man must strive for.

God's measure of a man isn't that he drives a cool car, has a good job, or looks good. God doesn't see as men see. He looks at the heart. We live in a culture where the wink of an eye, a few talents, athletic prowess of some kind, and the ability to reproduce are confused as the measure of manhood. That's too bad. I suppose the question you and I have to ask ourselves is do we understand the true measure of a man? 

Real men truly repent. Real men pursue biblical change. Real men embrace accountability. Real men accept responsibility. Real men do not minimize their sin and call it a mistake. And real men are sorry before they are caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Real men strive, really strive, to please God and do not blame others for their decisions to fail. Real men take responsibility. Real men man up. 

I'm reminded that true grace is God's riches at Christ's expense. As the Holy Spirit says through the pen of the Apostle Paul, we do not sin more that grace may abound more. If we love our God, then we truly hate our sin. Hating our sin and repenting is what it means to man up. When we man up, we strive for God's measure of a man in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.