What Is Your Reason for Living?

What is your reason for living? Is it your spouse, family, job, ministry, friends, or even yourself? For the Christian, the reason for our existence should be Christ. When Christ is not at the center of our being, we will struggle internally to continue to serve Him. We must remember that He gave His life that we would have eternal life. 

On the shores of the beach, Jesus came to the disciples and ate with them. He asked Peter: “Lovest thou Me more than these? Or, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15). We must consider this question and our answer presently. 

Whatever you love will become your reason for living. It will become the “these” in your life.

There have been many speculations of what is the subject of “these” in Jesus’ question to Peter. There are two popular viewpoints. First, they represented the fish. Peter and some of the others had returned to their former profession of fishing. Second, they represented the other disciples. Since Peter denied the Lord on the night they took Him, he was given the opportunity to reaffirm his love for Him.

Regardless of which of these or any other you prefer, Jesus’ question challenges the believer. Each interpretation reveals to us a need to love Him more and to make Him our reason for living.

The first interpretation shows us that we have to love Him more than our former selves, sins, and vices. We cannot return to our old ambitions and endeavors as our reason for living. Peter returned to what he was doing before he met the Lord. If He is not our reason for living, we will go backwards. 

Some focus so much on trying to overcome where they came from that they forget that their focus is to be upon Him now. In doing so, when we behold Him, we become more like Him. Conversely, if we are consistently focusing on sins, we will fail. Though temptations come, your desire or love for Him must supersede your desire for the old sin or habit. It is the only way to resist and overcome. 

The second interpretation shows us that we have to live as if we are in competition with others in service, like in a race. If Jesus was referring to the others, it was a direct challenge to Peter to show that Christ was his reason for living more than what any others demonstrated. This challenge is upon us today. Paul echoes this sentiment when he said that we are to run this race as if we are going to be the winner. It is our only reason to be here: to please Him until that Day.

Again, what is your reason for living? Do you love Him above any “these?” Is He your reason? Love Him MORE! Make HIM the REASON! Remember, if we love Him, we will never fail because it is written that love never fails.

Defining the Christian Male: Seven Traits of a Godly Man

Every Christian male should ask himself this question: What makes me a man? More importantly, what makes me a godly man? If a man does not know who he is, he will not be all he can be in Christ Jesus. The Christian male has to understand that he can only define himself based upon biblical standards. This is because culture and Christianity have varying viewpoints about what makes one a "man." The Christian male, then, has to learn to define his manhood in terms of his relationship with Christ (righteousness and character), rather than by the culture (which focuses mostly on external traits -strength, money, stature, family, etc). Before going further the Christian male should understand:

*A man's definition is not based upon external characteristics, but internal traits.*

*The definition of a man is found in the image of God.*

*Culture cannot define a man.*

With this understanding, we want to offer seven primary qualities or traits of the Christian man.

1. He reflects Christ's image. As Adam was made in God's image, the Christian man has to be made in Christ's image. He will reflect the characteristics of Christ. (Romans 8:29)

2. He is a man full of wisdom and integrity. The Christian man will not be a fool. He will not lack spiritual wisdom and insight. He will be full of faith. (Acts 6:3a)

3. His is an example of the believers in this world. The Christian man will set an example that others can follow. He will represent the Christian faith well to the world. (I Timothy 4:12b)

4. He leads his home in the worship of God. One of the qualifications for a bishop was to have his home in order. This same quality will be in the true Christian man. (I Timothy 3:4)

5. He follows the example that Christ set. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to follow his example as he followed Christ. This will be the same desire of the Christian man. He will only want others to emulate him as he follows Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1)

6. He is man of prayer. In the Old Testament, men offered the most powerful prayers. Contrary to popular belief, women are not more effective in prayer than men. Prayer is not woman's work. Men have a responsibility to weep and mourn and intercede for others also. (Ephesians 6:18)

7. He is a student of the Word of God. The Christian man will have a desire to know God's word. He will not shun corporate and personal study of the Word. He will also understand the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith. (II Timothy 2:15)

Well, there you have it! The Christian man defines himself in the person of Christ and within the personality of the faith.

The Biblical Model for the Christian Husband

Being a Christian man comes with responsibilities. The same is true for the Christian husband. To clarify the role of the Christian husband, we have listed some other responsibilities associated with marriage. There are four functions that the Christian husband performs to fulfill his responsibility to his wife.

I. He functions as a Priest. The priests served as spiritual leaders in Israel. They would teach the people the precepts of the Lord as well as make sacrifices for the people. The Christian husband leads his family in worship of God. Even if his wife is in ministry and he is not, he has the responsibility to lead the family in the Lord's service.

He functions as a priest to his wife in some specific ways. The first is that he will present her concerns to the Lord (as well as his own) in prayer. This is similar to the priests who sacrificed to the Lord for themselves and others. The second is that the husband will bear his wife concerns and burdens in providing an ear for her concerns and worries.

II. He functions as a Provider. The Christian husband provides for his wife. He does this in two ways emotionally and financially. Most men have no problem with working and contributing to the financial needs of his wife. However, many men fail in providing for the emotional needs of his wife.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. (Colossians 3:19)

The scriptures tell men not to be bitter against their wives. Some demonstrate bitterness towards their wives by not listening to their requests or meeting their emotional needs.

III. He functions as a Protector. The Christian husband also protects his wife. He does this in two ways. First, he protects her from the spiritual attacks of the enemy. The Christian husband knows how to help his wife in spiritual warfare; quenching fiery darts of the evil one.

Second, he protects her from herself. He understands his wife and knows how to protect her from self-inflicted wounds of doubt, depression, and frustration. He will not allow his wife to hinder herself because of unhealthy self-perception.

IV. He functions as a Shepherd. The Christian husband performs the duty of a shepherd for his wife. The shepherd corrects and comforts the sheep. He leads them into green pastures. The husband will lead his wife into the will of God. Through the word of God, he will comfort and correct her so that they both stand together in Christ without blame.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (I Peter 3:7)

Being a Christian husband comes with great respect and responsibility. God's plan for husbands has not changed. If men husbands are to properly find their place and identity, it has to be done by using the Word and the example of Christ.