[A repost]
And I quote:
Real manliness is defined by Christlike character, and not just the Gentle-Jesus-meek-and-mild-style character, but the full-orbed fruit of the Spirit rounded out with strength, courage, conviction, strong passions, manly love, and a stout-hearted willingness to oppose error and fight for the truth—even to the point of laying down your life for the truth if necessary.
From TeamPyro's More on the Sissification of Church
Just the other day I was going to post on the fruit of the Spirit - wondering whether 'real men' would find Paul too feminized at this point. All that girly 'patience and gentleness' and nothing about mechanical, athletic or barbecuing ability.
Then I read the quote above. Now I think I agree with much of what the author says. He himself is reacting against a kind of John Eldredge 'wild man' myth. And who could disagree that manliness is defined by Christlike character? But to say the fruit of the Spirit requires 'rounding out' when it's applied to real men.... ??
Does this mean that 'faith, hope and love' are a bit 'chickified'? Perhaps they require rounding out with 'strength, honour and belching'? Or maybe 'be joyful, pray and give thanks' (1 Thes 5:16-18) need augmenting with 'build, fix and kill.'
Oh look, I'm all for stout-hearted fighting spirit. I know that men are cowards. I know what a problem this is. After all, the silence of Adam got us into this mess in the first place.
But when true, stout-hearted, courageous manhood is expressed, you know what it will look like? Cheek-turning, cloak-giving, rights-yielding, foot-washing, burden-bearing, shame-absorbing, sacrificial love.
It will look like the fruit of the Spirit. And even though these qualities may look sissy to the world - well... Real men don't care about looking sissy.
.
Other posts on men stuff:
.
Based on that article I think I probably have a “sissified” perception of what it means to “lay down your life” too. Maybe “Low T”? ;-)
Ahhh. Just Googled "Low T". For a minute I thought you were referencing TULIP. Again. ;-). Think I might need to check out these sites!!
Yes, it takes true courage to turn your cheek, especially when you don't have to. When I think of the Almighty God in flesh turning His cheek while us scrawny twirps were hitting Him, He could have unmade us with one thought. . .
Meekness does not cower. It simply loves. I lash out BECAUSE I am small and weak. I can endure with His perfect love. I have often thought of how my lashing out is a result of fear. I'm afraid to get hurt, or lose control of the situation, or to lose face. But He had no fear. .
Craig
Amen Craig!
And today is the remembrance of the Manliest thing ever done - cosmic cheek-turning!
I heard a long time ago, and have made it my motto. Real Manhood is modeling yourself after Jesus. I don't think too many would call him a sissy man.
Blessings! Good Post!
Thanks Duke, welcome to comments (if I haven't welcomed you before)
:)
A blessing for you and yours…The woman of Revelation 12 is now here… God is very precise: A woman delivers the true word John1:1, Rev 12:5, Rev 12:13 who restores Acts 3:21 all things to the world before Christ’s return. This woman exposes the lies of Satan who has deceived the whole world Rev 12:9. This woman creates a new thing in the earth by fulfilling God's promise to Eve Gen 3:15, Jer 31:22, Isa 14:16. She is meek like unto Moses Num 12:3, she was raised up Acts 3:22 from the Laodicean church that becomes lukewarm because they refused to hear her Rev 3:14-17. She is also bold like Elijah Matt 17:11, her witness alone turns the hearts of the fathers to the children Mal 4:5-6 to prepare a people for the Lords return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord Matt 17:3, Luke 9:30. Moses and Elijah are together with the word Matt 17:3 they all three are in this one woman. Those who will not hear Acts 3:23 the true word of God now delivered to the world free of charge, as a witness, at the heel of time from the wilderness Rev 12:6 will not be allowed inside the walls of God’s coming kingdom from heaven Rev 21. This true word turns the hearts of the fathers to the children of God by giving the truth that not one child of God will be put in a hell fire no matter what their sins. It never entered the heart or mind of God to ever do such a thing Jer 7:31, Jer 19:5. God created evil Isa 45:7 to teach his children the knowledge of good and evil Rom 8:7, Gen 3:22 so that at their resurrection they become a god Matt 22:29-30, Ps 82:6. Prove all things. Be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. You cannot rightly judge this unless you read all that has been written by this woman first Pro 18:13 http://minigoodtale.blogspot.com check out the bruising of Satan.
Pingback: Is she a doubler? « Christ the Truth