Real Men

Real Men

“ searched for a man among them who would build up a wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”

Ezekiel 22:30 NASB

We have a men’s ministry here at the Mt. Laurel Church of God that we call “Iron Workers.” It’s based on Proverbs 27:17 that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

When I’m asking the Holy Spirit to help me find a relevant topic to discuss or teach at our Iron Workers’ meeting, one nagging question keeps coming to my mind . . . “What is a real man, anyway?” What is a real man as God looks at him? God’s perspective is a great deal different from the media hype and the flamboyant perspective of our present culture. The prophet Ezekiel, writing at least twenty-five-hundred years ago, said that God searched then, too, for a real man.

A real man is authentic and genuine. He never hesitates to stand alone for a just cause. A real man has the fortitude to do the right thing no matter what the cost might be. A real man isn’t tainted by the philosophy that “might makes right,” or that it’s all right to do something as long as nobody gets hurt.

There are times when a real man is afraid. Even the writer Ernest Hemingway defined courage as “fear that has prayed.” A real man would be a fool to fear no danger, but when he confronts it, he stands his ground without boasting.

A real man knows who he is and is secure in himself. He doesn’t need liquor to bolster his courage to face another day. A real man is strong, but his strength is under control.

A real man is never too macho to lead his family in prayer, to be in corporate worship, and to acknowledge that the greatest Real Man who ever lived was Jesus Christ, who alone faced the supreme test of death and triumphed over it. A real man is never ashamed to walk in Christ’s footsteps and to identify with His movement.

A real man? Chances are he’ll go unnoticed by the press or the TV crews, but be sure, God notices real men!

Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. If you’re a regular attender or member of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please remember that this coming Sunday, July 13, will be Patriotic Sunday at the Mt. Laurel Church of God. Dr. David Smith will be leading worship and reminding us to remember our history as Americans who have been blessed by Almighty God.

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.