“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon, his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;….(1 Kings 2:1, 2). Though God described David as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), David, like all others, would answer the call of death. (Hebrews 9:27). Except for those who are alive at Christ’s second coming, all will die and/or be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51-58), because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (Verse 50).
There are so many definitions today of what it takes to be a man, to be manly, or to be a real woman. Sadly, some females are seeking to be manly. This is not new. Paul, inspired of God (1 Corinthians 2), penned many words to the Romans. (Romans 1:1). The Spirit moved Him to give half of the first chapter to a discussion of men and women doing this. He wrote of some who “knew God” (Romans 1:21a), but “glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21b). Why? Because they became fools due to thinking that they were wiser than God, which led them to change “the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things..” (Romans 1:22, 23). They became “vile” (Romans 1:21-25), Greek ATIMIA, meaning, “infamy, i. e. (subj.) comparative indignity, (obj.) disgrace: dishonor, reproach, shame, vile.” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, p. 1098). Men and women began to act like the opposite sex, instead of being who they were at birth. Because they did not retain God in their knowledge, He gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient, being filled with all unrighteousness. (Romans 1:24-32). “Unseemly” (Greek, ASCHEMOSUNE, “indecency…:–shame, that which is unseemly.” (Strong’s, p. 1090). “Reprobate” (Greek, ADOKIMOS, “unapproved, i. e. rejected; by impl. Worthless (lit. or mor.):–castaway, rejected, reprobate.” (Strong’s, p. 839). “Convenient” (Greek, KATHEKO, “to reach to…becoming:–becoming, fit.” (Strong’s p. 218). However, notice the word “not” placed before the word convenient. Thus, not becoming; not reaching to their sinful actions. They were “filled with all unrighteousness.” (Greek, ADIKIA, “injustice…wrongfulness (of character, life, or act):–iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.” (Strong’s, p. 1090). We see much of this today, with most likely thinking they are proving themselves to be strong.
Other definitions today find many thinking that they are superior if they are muscular, large, athletic, that is, can run faster than others, hit, throw, catch, or shoot a ball better than others, and so much more. The writer used to think a successful hunting, fishing, or a bird hunt was something to brag about. There are some who believe that drinking , smoking, or taking drugs makes them men/women. Others conclude that having sex in or out of marriage, or with multiple partners proclaims manhood/womanhood. The list goes on. Today, proving self to be strong seems to place emphasis on the physical, rather than the spiritual.
What did the inspired David tell Solomon his son makes a man? David admonished Solomon to “shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies…take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart, and with all their soul….” (1 Kings 2:3, 4; Luke 10:27, 28). Real men/women are those who live for God. Are physical things wrong? Some are. For example, lists of sinful things are recorded in Romans 1:28-32; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. There are other things not in these lists. Is exercise of the body wrong? No! 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profiteth little.” However, Paul contrasts bodily exercise with godliness, saying, “godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Verse nine (9) says, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.” Physical things that do not violate God’s principles are not wrong, but, according to these scriptures, much more emphasis should be placed on spiritual matters. Being a real man or woman demands building up the spiritual man or woman. Where is my emphasis? Am I adding the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-7), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26), love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8), the things of Philippians 4:8, and such like, placing more emphasis on these things than the physical? Building up the spiritual person will enable us to “enter in at the strait gate” (Matthew 7:13), “enter…into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 26:21), “enter in through the gate into the city.” (Revelation 22:14).
Dear reader, learn the will of God (Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 15:4; Titus 3:14), and become “strong in the faith” (Romans 4:20), “strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10), “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1), using “strong meat.” (Hebrews 5:11-14). Spiritual strength will enable us to overcome the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-19). Rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). Many have stated to this writer that they wish they could know and do what Robert R. Taylor, Jr. does. You can, but you will have to do what he has done. It has taken years of diligent reading and study of the word of God. He has disciplined himself to read the word of God daily. For decades he has read three (3) Old Testament chapters daily, reading the complete Old Testament once each year. This is in addition to his diligent study of the same. During the same period, he has read nine (9) New Testament chapters daily, thus reading the New Testament once each month. This is also in addition to his daily studies, writings, visits, and all the other works he has done. This writer has observed him continuing to read, study and write at the age of eighty-seven (87). The church needs more brethren, men and women, like him, and, especially preachers. Will you become one???
Physical things are fine when one sees them for what they are. However, let us never place them above the spiritual, or even on the same plain.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15).
SHEW THYSELF A MAN/WOMAN!
It Is Written 