I will start my article with this verse 1 Corinthians 13:11:
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 put aside childish things.
As I grew up in the Christian faith, it will be both a reflection of how I age and mature in character.
A long time ago, when I didn't have a relationship with Jesus Christ, this was how I described myself:
No personal relationship with Jesus Christ
Not seeking God first and no desire to glorify God
Not loving God accordingly and not obeying His word
Ashamed to share the gospel/salvation.
Always say YES in drinking liquor/alcohol.
Not yearning to involve any church activities.
Family is not my priority.
Not giving our tithes and offering.
Because I didn’t have a personal relationship with God, I experienced pruning from the Lord and I guess that was the turning point of my Christian life. So, I thanked the LORD not only for the blessings (pagpapala) but also in pruning (pagpapalo).
Hebrews 12:6 says, For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
To become a Man of God, we must:
1. Have a personal relationship with God and spend time with Him
After the pruning (pagpapalo), I know that God loves me. He wanted me to have a relationship with Him. By then I repented to God and started to seek Jesus Christ more and more. By reading the Holy Bible daily, have devotion and quiet time. With that, my relationship with Jesus Christ deepened. Slowly but surely, God moved in my life.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
2. Seeks God first and desires to glorify God with my life
It is my desire to always seek God first and try my very best with the help of the Holy Spirit to glorify Him everyday.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
3. A man who loves God with all his heart, mind, soul, strength and who obeys his word.
Trying my best with the help of the Holy Spirit to love God and obey His Word.
Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
4. Have the desire to share the gospel/salvation wherever we go.
Even with a lot of challenges to share to Word of God onboard as a seaman, it can be time, busy trade, different beliefs (most of them are not Born-Again Christian), Boss’ (Captain and Chief Engineers) approval etc. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, God gave me the courage and wisdom to share His Word onboard.
Matthew 28: 19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
5. Say ‘NO’ in drinking of liquor/alcohol and other vices like gambling, pub houses.
Now that I have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, I can say ‘NO” to these bad habits.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
6. Have the desire to be involved in any Church activities.
Thanks and praise God I am actively participating in our Men’s Ministry, CLDP 1 2 & 3, PUSH Wednesday, and IGNITE, whether it is Face to face or online.
Hebrews 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
7. Be a Family Man.
Since I’m always away from my family during my work, I make sure when I’m home to have quality time with them, catching up and making memories. To have C2S and pray as a family. Love must be manifested in my family, relatives and friends.
1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
8. Give our Tithes and Offering.
Giving our tithes and offering to God is our form of worship because we love Jesus Christ.
Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Remember brothers and sisters, the process of being transformed into the image of Christ is not accomplished overnight. It will take time and effort with the guidance of God.
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
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