What is a man?
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
Childhood ways, are innocent and foolish because knowledge is in part, however, the ways of manhood should be wiser because knowledge has increased.
In ancient times, the transition from boyhood to manhood was the ritual of going hunting with older men and partaking in the kill of the hunt. This initiates the change from boy to man. In modern time, on the other hand, biology determines that the boy's physical growth peaks between age eighteen to twenty-one, thereby at this stage he is considered to be a man.
This is true for the physical characteristics of a man. However, manhood goes deeper than physical traits. It also incorporates an individual's intellectual, emotion, social and spiritual development.
What is a man? The dictionary defines man as
' an adult human male with biological XY chromosome'. This is the physical characteristic. However, is this all that makes a man?
What makes a man a man?
Some of the common characteristics attributed to men are courage, protectiveness, honor, competitiveness and a sense of adventure.
These are not necessarily the attributes possessed by the perfect man. Rather, they are displayed to varying degrees, in one way or another, in almost all men. This does not speak to spiritual or mental characteristics. Thus it's lacking.
Let us look at the Bible's definition of a man.
Man is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27).
Man has the knowledge of good and evil therefore capable of making moral choices (Genesis 3:22).
Man has mind, body and a soul. Man is also sustained by God.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being’
(Acts 17:28).
Man is given a special role within creation, and is awarded an elevated position. 'Man shall rule over the rest of creation.' (Gen.)
At the age of twelve, we learn about Jesus displaying some manly characteristics when he sat with and schooled the older men in the temple. Did this intellectual and spiritual competence make Jesus a man? The story goes as follows:-
"When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." (Luke 2:42-47)
Jesus, yet a boy, displayed spiritual and intellectual maturity even though he was not yet a 'man'.
I believe that a man fills most of the characteristics that we have covered. He is physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially mature. He knows and understands who he is, his capabilities and his weaknesses. He relies on God for strength and sustenance as he seeks to fulfill his role as leader, protector and provider.
This is what makes a man.
This is what makes a good and Godly man.
Marcel and Jacqueline Bruff
@walkgoodinchrist
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