"Behave like a Man"

I was reading the Shepherd of Hermas. The final words of the first dream he had were, "Behave like a man, Hermas". He was a man of the path of righteousness. And the story is stunning. But it got me thinking there is something to be learned for those of faith, Christians.

Spiritually, there are three distinct ways that a man can be distinguished by:

1.In righteousness

If a man, like Hermas, is raised in righteous ways, has desire of wickedness enter his heart, he is sinning, and the sin is great. For those who carry righteousness, carry the Lord, who is that righteousness. And for their heart or mind to bring forth a desire of wickedness, they have denied that righteousness in their disparity. Yes.

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Matthew 5:27,28

27

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

28

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

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2.In Darkness

If a man was raised in worldliness, he will desire wickedness in all things. Sin is everything not done in faith, but he has no faith and does not know the truth. He does what is natural, and this is the darkness he remains in.

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1 Thessalonians 4:4,5

4

that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,

5

not in passionate lust like the Gentiles, who do not know God;

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3.In Grace and Truth

A man of Christ is called by the Lord, to come out of his darkness, and being then shown the light. He begins by being reborn, dead to the world, and through his faith, he is then open to the righteousness of God. But this is a progression, that is why we are told to persevere. This man will still suffer in temptation, and desire will rise in his heart. Because of the grace, he will be shown what is wickedness in him, and he will act on his faith with a repent.

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Ephesians 5:8

8

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.

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Behaviour is the sum of our actions. Our behavior affects our daily lives, and our eternal judgement. None of us are without sin, not one. But this touches on our truest purpose. Our behavior is not what we desire, but how we act.

It is not the condemnation of sin that we should see in the Lord God. It is that each temptation is set before is an opportunity to confirm our faith or deny it. The more we confirm our faith, by repenting the desires we have, the greater we honor the grace that has been afforded us.

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2 Timothy 2:11-13

11

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,

we will also live with him;

12

if we endure,

we will also reign with him.

If we disown him,

he will also disown us;

13

if we are faithless,

he remains faithful,

for he cannot disown himself.

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Our behaviour becomes our character. As we were reborn, learning to rely on the Lord, is not done by studying scripture alone. It is an application of faith. We have to believe that denying our desires honors the one who remains faithful to us. And we suffer to do this, because we came from the world and it does not recognize what we are doing. So temptation is constant, and even increases. And our bodies themselves yearn for what we came from, because our bodies are still of this world.

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Romans 12:2

2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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Spiritually, our behaviour must be consistent with our beliefs. And we will stumble, and even fall out of faith. Because our consciences get burdened down with our guilt for desiring what we came from, are of, and remain surrounded by. This is why it is vital for believers to remember our Lord is faithful and waits for us to repent, so that our conscience can be cleared, and our faithfulness renewed in him.

Amen