Men Of Christ: Know What To Do
© 04.26.10 By D. Eric Williams
Several years ago I struck up a conversation with a fellow Christian who was wearing a WWJD bracelet and asked what the bracelet meant to him. He held his arm out and looked at the yellow plastic a moment before answering; "Well, my daughter gave it to me and that's why I wear it. I don't really think much about what Jesus would do. Maybe I should" he said with a sheepish grin. I agree. In fact, every man of Christ should be thinking about what Jesus would do every moment of every day. "What would Jesus do in my shoes at this moment?" The question is easily answered. All we need to do is to open the Bible and read.
For instance, men of Christ, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish (Eph 5:25-27).
This passage tells us a husband's love is defined as service and "the husband's evidence of love is his wise and loving government of his household" (R.J. Rushdoony, The Institutes Of Biblical Law, 338). This is in imitation of Jesus Christ. In fact, as we see in Ephesians chapter five, the work of the man of Christ is compared to the redemptive work of Jesus. And it has a similar outcome; enabling a man's wife to be the pure, glorious, fulfilled helpmeet she is meant to be. As strange as it may seem to us, this is where societal healing begins. Until men of Christ understand this is their primary calling, we will not see lasting change in the Church or community.
But, can it be this simple very specific issue is at the root of the problems we encounter in the familial, ecclesiastical and civic realms? I am not suggesting every other problem we deal with will suddenly disappear when men of Christ learn to love their wives. I am saying we cannot adequately address the other issues in life until this foundational matter is properly addressed.
I began this series by saying "most of the problems in this nation can be traced back to one source: the failure of Christian men to lead." And this is where leadership begins. Thus, Christian men must first and foremost love their wives. Only then will we have strong Christian homes, producing vigorous Christians who do good work for Christ in their spheres of influence. Yet, a man of Christ can ignore his other responsibilities. If he fails to discipline his children, to work hard at his job, bring home the bacon and so on, he is not doing what Jesus would do - and he is not really loving his wife.
The men of Issachar understood the times and knew what to do. Men of Christ must do the same. The times we live in demand a strong Church, strong families and strong community leadership. At the root of all this is the man of Christ loving his wife through self sacrificial service. Contrary to what many men believe, loving leadership requires strength and courage. It is not a job for effete men. If you think otherwise, read the Gospels - with understanding. The Bible presents Jesus as a warrior, a divine knight battling and vanquishing sin and death for the glory of God and the love of his Bride. Men of Christ, go and do likewise.
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