Real Men 1.2

Well, some things in life make you look stupid. My last blog offered me an opportunity for that! It is times like these that really devalue some of the great things in life. So, after listening to the sermon Men at Work, I blogged about Real Men. The preacher listed three main points for men to remind them of their calling before God. He used the letters I.R.S. to help us remember what separates men from effeminate men. 'Initiative', 'Responsibility', and 'Sacrifice.'

Well, somewhere in the TruThseeker translation, the 'Sacrifice' became Service. Now, while service is admirable and required, right and true, it was not the point given by the preacher. Thankfully, the preacher alerted me to this unspeakable blunder, correcting some grammatical anomalies in the process. To 'Da Preacha': Thank You.

However, I must write about 'Sacrifice.' One key to being a real man, that is, a godly man, is sacrifice. It is the most unbelievable of callings. God makes man. As man traverses life, he takes a wife and makes a family. Being the God-ordained head of the house, the man must sacrifice his own life, his wants, his desires, for the family. He cannot simply charge forward, living life with no regard for their well-being. He must care for, nurture, and love them. Love takes sacrifice.

Our great example, illustrate the preacher, is found in The Lord Jesus Christ. He creates man, who in turn chooses to disobey his Creator. Christ then sets aside His glory, the glory He had with the Father, and becomes a man in order to save man. Christ dies at the hands of sinful man, for His joy, for His creation, for the sins of all who believe. So, Christ sacrificed His glory and His life to provide life for His bride.

While it is true that Christ came to serve, I do enjoy the word sacrifice much more. It requires more of the one giving the sacrifice. It is a giving up of something valuable in order to give to someone else. The great ones sacrifice. The great ones do what it takes, taking initiative and assuming responsibility, sacrificing for the good of others. Christ did that, not only for our salvation, but also for the glory of God! Is there anything more worthy?

So, perhaps we can adjust the acronym. Maybe I.R.S.S. would be an appropriate reminder. However, based upon how this sermon has impacted me, I think I.R.S. would be the better way to go. I think the preacher would agree. A further audit would provide greater confirmation.