A FEW GOOD GODLY MEN

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13

Over 3000 years ago a Philistine giant named Goliath issued a threatening challenge to a fearful Israelite army shouting, “Give me a man!” (1 Samuel 17:10).  While not a challenge to fight, I believe that same cry is going out everywhere as the Lord is looking for men of godly faith, conviction and character who will stand up and stand out for Him in this sinful world.

What does such a man look like?  In Titus 2:2 Paul teaches that older men should have the stability of being temperate, dignified/reverent, sensible, sound in doctrine (teaching God’s Word – 2 Timothy 3:16-17), sound in faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and sound in love for God (1 John 4:19; John 14:15), for others (John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16-18) and for their wives and families (Ephesians 5:25).  Intolerant, unsympathetic, hurtful, faultfinding, angry men don’t fit the bill! Finally the older men are sound in endurance, bearing up and under all hard situations, persevering and not quitting when the going gets tough (James 1:2-4, 12), looking to Jesus to find the strength to keep them running their race well (Hebrews 12:1-4).  These same qualifications apply today.

The older men are also to be good examples and exhort younger Christian men to have a sensible life-style, be positive role models, having sound doctrine showing integrity and honesty, reverence and respect for God, purity and sincerity.  Finally they are to have sound, healthy speech which is irreproachable (Titus 2:6-8).  Are you such a man?  If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God is calling you to this standard.  You can be a good, godly man! 

Bob Kulp