Ephesians 4:22-24 New International Version (NIV)
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The authenticity of being a Vital Man is in his quality of his exposure of brokenness and in the adornment of God’s grace. Our world is in deep need and search of men who are willing to be authentic.
We find the media today and our culture being obsessed with image. We have to look and dress a certain way, be thin, and have a six pack. It is to the degree that to be successful is based on outward appearance. Inside, men are crumbling.
That is when we fall to the hypocrisy of being authentic men. We become all about self serving, not compassionate, and full of aggression and insecurity.
Men, our true image, real authenticity, is based on the image of God and glorifying him. I like it where it says in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
So, how does this apply to authentic manhood? I am going to briefly hit on 3 action steps that will get us there.
- Be Vulnerable – Be a story teller. Confess where you came from and also how you are still broken. All we need is our Savior, and we need redemption and Jesus.
- Embrace Tension – Take up your cross daily through your brokenness. You found your way to the cross, to death, and to burial. You are now a new creation. You are throwing away that sin nature and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you.
- Recovery Is With God’s Story – Following Jesus is a daily choice. After your vulnerability, you went to the cross, and you received God’s Word. His Word covers your life. Jesus’ story has now become your story.
When you experience authenticity, be ready for a great adventure. When God sees you being real with him, it will allow you to be real in life. That is a new man!
Strength and Courage
Mike
