Manhood RestoredSample

God's Solution Jesus was not God’s backup plan. His coming was always God’s perfect plan of redemption for fallen, flawed, sin-sick man. Before man can be fully redeemed, however, he must fully recognize the terrible predicament he is in. He must admit his rotten nature and come to grips with his need for forgiveness. Jesus did not come to entice people to make a decision. Scripture says that all men are sinful (see Ps. 14:3). Wicked mankind is incapable of making the right decision anyway. Jesus came to make disciples. A disciple is a follower. He came to create carbon copies of Himself. In that, He would restore what was broken by sin. Jesus mends man’s relationship with God. As Christ followers, men are filled with the Spirit and endowed with spiritual gifts. In Jesus, a man is fully able to fulfill God’s distinct purpose for his life. Paul explained to the believers in Rome that in the same manner as sin entered the world through the act of one man, Adam, forgiveness would enter the world through one man, Jesus. Man’s connection to God and the restoration of the image-bearing relationship that God birthed in Eden is only possible in Christ. If that initial relationship between God and His creation is a picture of God’s intent for manhood, Christ is the method of returning to God’s plan. While the world teaches that independence is a marker of strength, Scripture teaches that dependence on God is an indication of true strength for the believer. Jesus, the ultimate man of strength, submitted to the authority of God the Father in His life. The world views submission as a sign of weakness. Scripture teaches, however, that submission to God is Christlike and an indication of significant strength. Jesus came to make disciples. Following Him closely may not have you labeled and characterized by your worldly manliness. Looking like Jesus, however, is the mark of true biblical manhood.