God’s Plan for Every Man

“One of the jobs of a dad is to show their little boys and girls what a man is.”

Recently, our family laid to rest a man affectionately known as “Papoe Dean” to our great-granddaughters. He was a hardworking farmer and rancher that raised two boys. He taught them hard work through taking care of cattle, planting and harvesting crops, fixing machinery and daily chores.(Image by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash)

One of the jobs of a dad is to show their little boys and girls what a man is. They may have other men in their lives too that help with that, like grandpas, uncles, pastors, teachers and coaches. And they may even be impacted by their favorite athletes, actors and musicians. In some cases, the examples are good, while in other cases, not so much.

Is there a place that describes what a man is, how he should live and the example he should provide his children and grandchildren? God has given us a standard for men, because He is the One who fashioned and shaped men and women. 

The story of mankind’s origin is found in the Bible through its opening pages in the book of Genesis. In chapters one through three there is found six descriptions of what it means to be a man.

1. A man walks with God. (Gen. 1-3)

2. A man and his wife together, raise their children. (Gen. 1:28)

3. A man works and provides for himself and his family. (Gen. 2:15)

4. A man takes responsibility and provides spiritual leadership. (Gen. 2:16-17)

5. A man receives the woman God has provided to be his wife. (Gen. 2:18-25)

6. A man serves and cherishes his wife. (Gen. 2:24)

When we look at this list, we find the majority of men do not live this way. Why? Because of this, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened…” (Genesis 3:6-7).

This historical account lays out how the first deadly disease entered our world and affected the human race. It was the sickness of sin. It radically altered God’s intended plan for men. Instead, it caused men to reject God. Consequently, men began acting on selfish impulses, inherited a passive spirit in the home, became abusive and controlling, were absent in helping to raise their children and served their own interests. Sin corrupted God’s original purpose for men, flipping upside down everything He intended a man to be.

How can a man live differently, and redeem what sin destroyed? To live as God wants is impossible to do on our own. We need help outside ourselves to change us into the men we must be. That help comes from Jesus. He alone is our hope. Jesus died and rose again to save us from ourselves. He came to rescue us. Call out to Jesus to make you the man you were created to be.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray you will deliver men from the sin within them. Lift their eyes toward you, Jesus. May they call upon you to change them into the men you have destined them to be. In your holy name. Amen.