Welcome to the real “Truth Zone.” If you are reading this, you either believe the forgiveness and salvation that comes from God through His Son Jesus Christ (Jn 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1Jn 5:11-12), you have faith in some higher power, or you are just curious what I might say to men of faith. Whatever your purpose, I wish to share my Biblical perspective in an exhortation to all men of faith, to answer the call of living the life lovingly detailed in the Holy Scriptures, God’s love letter to us.

Many men around the globe are in active service to God and those they are called to serve (Mt 28:18-20). I am eternally grateful for their faithfulness. But the truth is ALL believers young and old, male or female, from all nations who’ve heard their Shepherd’s voice are called to answer, and to pick up their cross daily and live obediently as he did (Lk 9:23-24; Php 2:5-11).

So which are you? Are you living full-out in service to Him and others (Mt 22:37-39), or are you playing it safe by avoiding stepping up to our Master’s call (1Pe 3:16-16)? For myself, I spent far too many years on the sidelines, warming the bench, talking a good-sounding, Godly talk, but covertly working in service to the cause of the enemy. Brennan Manning eloquently spoke of this uncomfortable truth when he stated “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” If you’re anything like me after reading that you might say, “Yeah, why aren’t my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ out there doing their part and…” blah, blah, blah and so goes the condescending finger-pointing. When I was busy pointing out the flaws of my brethren, I failed to recognize the three self-incriminating fingers directed right back at me. Yes, a hypocrite of the worst kind I have been, and unfortunately still struggle with to this day. I love how my AA sponsor put it: “The world sees Christians as hypocrites because they know everyone screws up, but it’s the Christians who won’t admit it.”

So again let me ask, which are you? I’ve confessed some humbling shortcomings. If you were gut-wrenchingly honest, what would the truth of your life reveal? Let me ask in another way: if you were put on trial today, accused of being a devoted servant of Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you? I use a popular adage to jar you into being real with yourself. You might say “You don’t know my life’s history. The things I’ve done, the things I currently do, not to mention the things I’ve thought of doing.” That’s one of the classic lies our mutual enemy wants us to believe (Jn 8:43-44). So maybe you’ve been a “90-percenter,” someone who externally gives 90% of his life to God’s service, but secretly compartmentalizes the dirty 10% that maybe only you and God know about. This, my friend, is what’s called just going through the motions. But let us not lose hope! Remember the scriptures that tell us that none of us are good (Ps 14:2-3; Ro 3:22-25). That’s the point, we’ll never be worthy of His grace, but He still offers it and continues to call us. And walking with God is not meant to be a sprint, but a marathon lasting the remainder of our days.

Still not convinced? Okay, let’s do a quick comparison with some heroes of the bible: Abraham, and his grandson Jacob (Also named Israel) were polygamists, and Abraham his son Isaac, and his son Jacob were all liars; King David, referred to as “A man after God’s own heart,” was an adulterer and a murderer; Moses, the deliverer of the Israelites, was a murderer, tried to renege on serving God, and openly disobeyed the God of the universe; Peter, the “Rock” of the Christian church, abandoned his Savior at His ultimate time of need, was a liar denying even knowing Jesus three times, and was a mutilator cutting off a man’s ear; Paul, writer of almost half of the New Testament, was a murderer, persecutor of Christians, and referred to himself as the worst of all sinners. So when doing a side-by-side comparison (not recommended, but only used to make a point) regardless of your past or existing trials, we are in good company, men. I once heard a successful Christian musician, who stuttered, say that he believed God chose us, not in spite of our handicaps and deficiencies, but because of them so that He could proudly display His awesomeness through weak and despised things (1Co 1:26-31; 2Co 6-7; 2Co 12:7-10).

So where does one start? First and foremost, we must start with ourselves. If we are not committed and active Disciples of Christ then how can we present ourselves as princes to our wives, heroes to our kids, or leaders to a broken and hurting world that is paying very close attention to EVERY LITTLE THING WE DO, OR DON’T DO (1Co 10:31; Ja 4:17; 1Jn 3:18). Our primary mission field is at home. We are called to be the spiritual head of our households (Dt 11:18-21; Eph 5:23-26; Col 3:19, 21). As you trudge the road of headship, surely do it with zeal, but ensure your life matches your words, or respect and adherence to your teaching/modeling will be fleeting at best. Consider carefully the words of Saint Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times, and when absolutely necessary use words.” Then look beyond the walls of your home. You could serve the people of nations abroad, and/or you but need to look to your workmates, or your neighbor in the very city you live in. Either way, go, and God will guide your hands and feet.

If your life is in disarray, and lacks the cohesion you recognize might be needed for your family, fear not, remembering we all fall short. That’s where a coach comes in to help you when you fall, to fall forward (Pr 27:17). Whether you had good role models or not, we now have the ultimate one in Jesus (Mt 5:48). And helping you live your life reflecting His likeness in all areas is what I am committed to doing (He 10:24-25).

No matter your past. No matter the depth of the hole you are in. Getting yet another chance is always a “Yes” in Christ (Ps 103:11-12; 1Jn 1:8-10). Let me ask you this: What would you wish others, your family, and God would say about you at the end of your days? If you want to join with God to make that a reality, I encourage you to draw a line in the sand today, vowing not to wallow in the past (Php 3:13-16), nor stressing about the future (Mt 6:34). Instead, let us work together making today, and everyday thereafter, regret free, and full of hope for you and those you are responsible for (Jer 29:11-13).

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