Your definition of a Godly man?

[historyincognito]

What do you think?

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

1 timothy 3
ephesians 5:25-33

 

[CodyFaith]

A man who walks with Jesus.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

A man who is onfire for Jesus and lives for him with all his heart

 

[Paulie079]

-A man who actively pursues the heart of God
-A man who consistently wrings himself out in love and service to others
-A man who exhibits strength in his humility
-A man who puts others first
-A man who points others to Christ instead of himself
-A man who is capable of being tough and/or tender with those who he needs to be

Along the lines of this topic, I came across this video and think it contains some advice a lot of the guys on this forum including myself need to hear.

And this video is sort of a poetic representation of the kind of man I want to be. Don't let the title fool you, though. One does not need to have a particular soteriological leaning to have these things be true of him.

 

[timewerx]

-A man who actively pursues the heart of God
-A man who consistently wrings himself out in love and service to others
-A man who exhibits strength in his humility
-A man who puts others first
-A man who points others to Christ instead of himself
-A man who is capable of being tough and/or tender with those who he needs to be

Sounds like a man who will be single for the rest of his life

 

[Paulie079]

Sounds like a man who will be single for the rest of his life

Haha, why is that?

 

[timewerx]

Haha, why is that?

Probability.

The chances of such man existing is rare. Naturally, if such a man were to marry, he would likewise search for a woman like he is. Such woman would also be equally rare.

Therefore, the odds of such man getting married is largely against him. He is very likely to be single for the rest of his life.

What would make the difference is this in your post:

-A man who actively pursues the heart of God

 

[CodyFaith]

Probability.

The chances of such man existing is rare. Naturally, if such a man were to marry, he would likewise search for a woman like he is. Such woman would also be equally rare.

Therefore, the odds of such man getting married is largely against him. He is very likely to be single for the rest of his life.

What would make the difference is this in your post:

-A man who actively pursues the heart of God

Brothers in Christ marry sisters in Christ all the time... and brothers in Christ aren't (super)rare and neither are sisters in Christ.

It's called church.

 

[timewerx]

Brothers in Christ marry sisters in Christ all the time... and brothers in Christ aren't (super)rare and neither are sisters in Christ.

It's called church.

I was looking at it based on Paulie's list. Not many Christians would be on that list.

I don't think I'd be on that list either.

The original disciples of Christ would be on that list. But how many of them are married/still married?

 

[CodyFaith]

I was looking at it based on Paulie's list. Not many Christians would be on that list.

I don't think I'd be on that list either.

The original disciples of Christ would be on that list. But how many of them are married/still married?

I suppose your right now that I think about it. While I personally believe those things listed are basic callings of Christ, I do see many people not living some of them out, even people you find in church.

I live those things out for the most part, my "struggle" one being "-A man who points others to Christ instead of himself" at times but God knows why I self-exalt sometimes and sees my heart/thoughts. Something I'm working on. Not being arrogant or boastful because I believe all Christians are called to those things, and to respond to such things as "we are only unworthy servants doing out duty" like Christ has said Luke 17:10

I will say though that I've seen these people in my very short walk with Christ, so they definitely aren't as rare as you might think imo. They really do exist in churches. They're the ones in churches always serving others as per Christ's command and teaching that those who desire to be great must be the servant of all, for they will be the greatest in the church.

 

[LoveDivine]

Probability.

The chances of such man existing is rare. Naturally, if such a man were to marry, he would likewise search for a woman like he is. Such woman would also be equally rare.

Therefore, the odds of such man getting married is largely against him. He is very likely to be single for the rest of his life.

What would make the difference is this in your post:

-A man who actively pursues the heart of God

I actually agree with this I don't think what Paulie079 listed are such incredibly high standards though. There are regular or ordinary Christians that live this way (not something only achievable for the apostles or ministers of today). It does seem rare though to find these Christians. I think that in areas of persecution this type of commitment is the norm rather than the exception. There is too much emphasis in North America on personal happiness and fulfillment to foster this type of commitment.

On a more positive note, it only takes a few Christians to start living this way and they can create a domino effect in their local church or social circles

 

[timewerx]

I actually agree with this I don't think what Paulie079 listed are such incredibly high standards though. There are regular or ordinary Christians that live this way (not something only achievable for the apostles or ministers of today). It does seem rare though to find these Christians. I think that in areas of persecution this type of commitment is the norm rather than the exception. There is too much emphasis in North America on personal happiness and fulfillment to foster this type of commitment.

On a more positive note, it only takes a few Christians to start living this way and they can create a domino effect in their local church or social circles

I keep hearing the same thing from Chinese Christians who are living in China. They seem to look at the Word with a different context. One that is closer to the Truth.

Sadly, it's not going to fare well in the West. The West follows a different theology. The overall interpretation of scriptures is biased towards personal gain or as long as it feels good or not too difficult.

 

[Paulie079]

Probability.

The chances of such man existing is rare. Naturally, if such a man were to marry, he would likewise search for a woman like he is. Such woman would also be equally rare.

Therefore, the odds of such man getting married is largely against him. He is very likely to be single for the rest of his life.

Well to be clear, the example we should really be striving to follow is Christ's, and obviously we know we never will. So the point of my post is more that the characteristics I described are the type of person that I want to be, so hopefully over time I am growing closer to those things being true of me. Hopefully that's the case of the other Christian guys here too. Perhaps an addition to my list would be that he rests in Christ's perfection knowing that he doesn't have to be in order to be close to God. And I will also add that some of the things in my list are most practically practiced within the context of being married and having a family.

A lot of the things in that list play off of each other too. Humility and service are a running theme you might notice. I know a lot of men like this personally who love and serve their families well. They aren't perfect (and the list I made isn't a description of a perfect man), but they do work hard and humbly serve others. I don't think they are as rare as you think.

 

[ReesePiece23]

Me.

 

[Paulie079]

See? We have one right here with us in Singles.

 

[Swan7]

What I think doesn't matter. God's thoughts are so much higher than my own which is why I asked Him, if it was in His will, that He find me a husband that is with Him and not against Him. When I said to God, "You are enough, I no longer need a husband", He then showed me who he is! God is SO Great!

Isaiah 55:9

 

[MustardSeeed]

Me.

Lol

 

[Grandpa2390]

1 timothy 3
ephesians 5:25-33

I believe the OP asked for your definition... not God's definition.

 

[Grandpa2390]

I actually agree with this I don't think what Paulie079 listed are such incredibly high standards though. There are regular or ordinary Christians that live this way (not something only achievable for the apostles or ministers of today). It does seem rare though to find these Christians. I think that in areas of persecution this type of commitment is the norm rather than the exception. There is too much emphasis in North America on personal happiness and fulfillment to foster this type of commitment.

On a more positive note, it only takes a few Christians to start living this way and they can create a domino effect in their local church or social circles

I agree. Just running down the list, I quickly just replaced it with the Beatitudes. That seems to cover them all I think. It isn't high standards. It is the standards. We don't expect to find perfection but someone striving for perfection. Sanctification.
Unfortunately, even church it is rare to find people:

1. in my age bracket (one probability component that @timewerx forgot to mention)
2. who shares the same doctrinal views that would be essential to unity in a relationship/family
3. Who actually cares to understand what the Bible says
Much less tries to live it.

I don't want people to think I am pointing at the beatitudes the way people point at the Ten Commandments. There are many more other important principles to live our lives by in the Bible. These aren't the only ones. I just think The Beatitudes is just a convenient shorthand for the list above.

@timewerx is right. I am not calling myself perfect. By any stretch of the imagination. Please don't take that away. But as someone who puts great emphasis on trying to implement these things in my life, I also would expect that from my spouse. Someone who is interested in what the Bible says enough to seek understanding and to activate. Which, according to him, I will never find. lol.
I just don't see that a lot in Christians I meet. There just aren't a lot of Christians in this age group period.
I think the 20s is when they get out of their parent's umbrella and go crazy. and then perhaps they will find their way back in their 30s? I don't know. I have never been there before. But I hope so