Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

One who created and redeemed him. A real man‘s spiritual priorities take precedence over his physical and temporal ones. In Luke 4:3, the devil tempted Jesus with a physical need. “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread. ” Jesus replied, in essence, ―No, you don‘t understand. I have My priorities sorted out. I would rather be in God‘s presence than satisfy any temporal hunger.‖ (See verse 4.) A real man is clear about what his priorities are. A real man wants to be spiritually renewed so that the fullness of God‘s image and likeness is restored to his life. He seeks to return to the original plan that God intended when He first made man. This plan is that males and females would reflect the nature of God, who is Spirit, while living as physical beings on the earth. A real man is not deceived by or enamored with counterfeit images of manhood, such as the popular culture presents. A real man wants to be what he was created to be. He wants to be like his Father God. After God placed Adam in His presence, He gave him work. Jesus, the Second Adam, seemed to have two favorite words that reflected Go d‘s purposes for man. One was Fa ther. He was always talking about His Father in heaven and seeking His presence in prayer. The other was work. For example, consider these statements of Jesus: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34 NKJV ). “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working” (John 5:17). “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). Jesus was intent on doing His Father‘s work to compl e tion. A real man aspires to do the work of God the Father, while developing and using the gifts and talents God has Key #2 A Real Man Seeks to Re store God’s Image in Himself Key #3 A Real Man Aspires to Work and to Develop His Gifts and Talents

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