State of the Jar: Christian Boys vs. Godly Men

How few and far between have godly men become. 

The difference between a Godly Man and a Christian Boy can be established by several marks. A Christian Boy may bear some marks of a godly man: he may be a believer, he may go to church, he may have a favorite Bible verse, he may have gone to church camp, and he may even listen to Christian music. While all of those things are fantastic and there is nothing wrong with doing those things, a godly man strives to be more. A personal relationship with God, his prayer life, and his desire to talk about his relationship with God: these are only a few qualities that set apart a true follower of Christ in all aspects of his life. 

Do not settle for merely being a Christian Boy.

But no quality of a godly man is as important, arguably, as humility. Of all of the lists, articles, and Bible passages that are written on godly men, humility is always at the forefront of every dialogue. Even the term “godly” refers to having an inward devotion for God that is outwardly displayed, and, after all, the first step in separating the boys from the men comes with surrendering to the lordship of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). 

What is displayed on the outside of a man stems from what is in his heart. What purpose does a jar serve if it is polished on its surface but putrid when the lid is lifted? 

A true man of God considers himself dead to himself but alive in God (Romans 6:1-4, 11). A true man of God seeks to remain humble rather than exalt himself (Proverbs 27:2). A true man of God is a servant rather than demanding that he be served (Mark 10:45). A true man of God will stand up against injustice and speak up against ungodliness (Isaiah 1:17). A true man of God will bear fruit for the kingdom of God (John 15:5-8). A true man of God seeks to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Acts 13:52; Galatians 5:25). A true man of God desires to please the Lord more than himself (2 Corinthians 5:9). 

We must strive to be this kind of man, not praising ourselves or our accomplishments but seeking to decrease ourselves so that the Lord may increase.

That being said, it is impossible to be perfect. We will never reach perfection until we are in the physical presence of Jesus. But the godly man knows that Jesus, not the world, has set the standard for what it means to be a real man. So he strives daily to model his life after Jesus. He does not excuse the sins and weaknesses he finds in himself but continually surrenders those areas to God and asks His help in overcoming them. One’s physical appearance, social status, or economic standing means nothing when compared to how seriously one values their relationship with God and strives to obey Him in every area of his life.

“‘For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those will humble themselves will be exalted.’” -Luke 14:11

“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” -Proverbs 27:2

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” -Proverbs 18:12

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” -Philippians 2:3-4

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-JDH