The 5 Essentials of Kingdom Men

Let’s delve into the concept of the natural and spiritual man. This reading is intended for everyone, not just men. It's also for women to understand how to relate to men, for wives to understand how to relate to their husbands, and for mothers to understand how to relate to their sons. Whether you're a man looking to deepen your faith or a woman wanting to support the men in your life, this reading provides valuable lessons and encouragement. God wants men to reflect his image and live according to his original plan in their daily lives, whether at home, work, church, or in the community.?

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV) 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Being born male is a privilege, and becoming a man is a process. As a man, you naturally have distinct traits due to your male anatomy. You didn't choose your gender, so accept it and live purposefully. A physically mature man is different from a male child or boy. Being a husband, father, or grandfather comes with significant responsibility. You become a husband and father not based on your own ideas or your upbringing, nor based on society's standards, but based on how God, your creator, defines, describes, and determines it, just like being born again (John 1:13). A true man is both spiritually and socially accountable to God and man.

The historical Adam is a natural man. He is the first created being and is of the earth, made from dust, and of the soul. He became a living being but later fell and became a sinner due to disobedience. All humanity is affected by the first and old Adam.

The historical Jesus, on the other hand, is a spiritual man. He is the last Adam and is self-existing. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, he is divine. The second man is the Lord from heaven, and Jesus is of the spirit. He became a life-giving spirit and is a flawless and faithful man, the saviour. The second Adam obeys, and all humanity can find redemption and life in the last and new Adam.

?The fall of humanity occurred through Adam, the sinner, and there is hope for the rise of humanity through Christ, the Savior.

In the beginning, society or religion did not exist. It was only God, the creator, and man, the created being. This gives God the authority to define, describe, and determine what natural and spiritual manhood is all about. To illustrate the principles of a kingdom man of valour, we will break down the five W's: Worth, Work, Word, Wife, and Worship, drawing on biblical examples like Adam and Jesus.

Worth

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV) 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

?Understanding your worth is fundamental, encompassing a sense of origin, essence, and identity. We acknowledge Adam as the image and likeness bearer of God. Since we also come from Adam, our value isn't tied to our bank account, job title, or social status; it's rooted in being created in the image and likeness of God. This realization should transform how you see yourself and how others see you. When you grasp this, you will not be swayed by society's standards and superficial measures of identity and esteem. As we are created in the image and likeness of God, we share in divine essence. Jesus is described as both divine and human. As God, He is eternally divine, the one and only begotten and beloved Son of God (John 1:18; John 3:16; Matt 16:13-17; John 20:30-21) who came from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:45-49). The phrase "the Word became flesh" refers to Jesus as a man, also called the Son of Man at times. As kingdom men of valor, Christ is in us, and we are in Christ.

?Work

Gen. 2:15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NKJV) 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

We were created to work even before the fall of man. Initially, work was tied to man from the beginning of his creation. Work is not a result of the fall, but the curse made work laborious after the fall. It's important to engage in both our secular and spiritual work. Give to God what belongs to God and give to people what belongs to people (Mark 12:17). Work in service to humanity and in service to God. There are substantial benefits attached to working. We work to find purpose, reach our full potential, and provide for others. Work should not be seen as a burden but rather as a blessing. It allows us to be productive and contribute to society. Whether it's our professional or spiritual work, every task is an opportunity to showcase God's glory. The Bible reminds us that those who refuse to work should not expect to eat. Working diligently and purposefully is part of our divine calling. The first Adam, known as the Gardener, was placed in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it (Genesis 2:15). Adam exercised power over plants through cultivation and over animals by calling them their forms, features, functions, and fulfillment, and it was so (Genesis 2:19). Jesus, also known as the last Adam, is identified as Savior. He serves as a prophet, priest, king, physician, and rabbi. Jesus' sole purpose is spiritual – he came to save the world (John 12:47), to be a light to the world (John 12:46), to declare God (John 1:18), to give life in abundance (John 10:10), to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32), and to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43).

?Word

?2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

?According to the word of God, we can know his will and ways. The purpose of God's word is to teach, train, correct, rebuke and transform. We believe that the Bible is the ultimate guide for our lives. A kingdom man must be devoted to the Word, as it is not just a book but a life-giving manual that equips us for every good work. Understanding the scriptures allows us to lead our families spiritually and morally and provides the wisdom needed to navigate life's complexities and challenges. In Genesis 2:16-17, God commanded Adam to avoid a specific tree that contains the knowledge of good and evil, illustrating that kingdom men are meant to protect and preserve divine boundaries rather than crossing them. Even Jesus himself had to learn the Scriptures and gain wisdom as he was growing up (Luke 2:40, 52). In John 1:1, Jesus is referred to as the Word of God in the beginning. He is the direct revelation of God and the personification of the Word of God in physical manifestation. He came to declare for us to know and understand God. Therefore, choosing the Word of God as the source of your wisdom and way of life means that you will no longer conform to the world's views. Instead, you will be transformed by renewing your mind in the Word of God. This transformation changes your perspectives, priorities, purpose, and plans in life. As the spiritual head of your home, God expects you to teach, train, instruct, and guide your family to live according to His Word.

?Wife

Gen. 2:18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

?Marriage is not only a romantic relationship but also a significant responsibility to take on. In marriage, a spiritual and legal bond is formed between a man and a woman. This emphasizes the idea that according to Genesis 2:18, God made Adam to realize he needed a helper and brought his wife to him, emphasizing the importance of a comparable and suitable partner for him. This demonstrates that God acknowledges the importance and impact of a woman on a man. Adam acknowledged this by calling the female image bearer of God "woman" because she was taken out of a man in Genesis 2:23 and called his wife "Eve" in Genesis 3:20, highlighting her significant role as the mother of all living. It is important to seek God's guidance in finding a suitable and supportive partner who is made in the image and likeness of God. Both men and women have shared divine essence, worth, and identity, but their physical form and functions differ. When discussing the Word of God, the will of God, the ways of God, and the wisdom of God, a wife should listen to her husband and not be influenced by outside voices or distractions. Husbands should love their wives by protecting them, providing for them, and proclaiming the truth with them, while wives should respect their husbands by receiving them without rejecting them. A wife should be a man's greatest ally and support system. Building relationships based on faith in Jesus rather than just material wealth is a key quality for kingdom men of valour. Kingdom men of valor are urged to be responsible spiritual stewards in their relationships, prioritizing spiritual guidance over financial achievement. As Jesus did not have a physical earthly wife, the spiritual wife of Jesus is the church (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2)

?Worship

John 4:23-24 (NKJV) 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

In the act of worship, there is communion, relationship, and fellowship with God, as well as adoration for God. Worship is not limited to women; men are also called to express their worship. True worship involves humility and surrender to God. When men worship wholeheartedly, they serve as powerful examples for their families and communities. In Genesis 3:8, Adam and his wife felt God's presence in the cool of the day. Adam was able to hear and communicate with God. The Scripture records three times in the year when all men should appear before God in Exodus 34:23. David, a biblical example of a kingdom man of valor, was a great worshiper whose Psalms have touched many lives. Jesus consistently promotes the worship of God and receives worship for himself because he is God.

Conclusion

It's crucial to understand that a man's definition lies not in physical strength but in their relationship with God and moral integrity.

Adam is known as the first sinner, while Christ is seen as the ultimate Savior. All people are descendants of Adam, the fallen sinner, and can only find redemption through faith in Christ, the faithful saviour. Both Adam and Jesus demonstrated their work's importance, intrinsic worth, and God's word. The devil fears a man who knows his worth, the purpose of work, God’s word, faithfully loves and serves his wife, and sincerely worships God. Adam's manhood is described as having a strong work ethic, a spiritual connection with God, maturity and readiness for marriage, and stewardship over God's creation. He only lacks a suitable and supportive helper comparable in composition and complimenting him. Despite the failure of the first Adam, we can follow the example of Jesus, who is regarded as the last Adam. Jesus perfectly reflects God's image and embodies the true likeness of God.

Finally, as a son of God, you have a unique relationship with God as your heavenly Father. On earth, you have responsibilities as a man of God. In heaven, there is no marriage, and you are solely cared for by God. As a steward of God, you are entrusted with representing Him, nurturing people and the earthly creation, and fulfilling His kingdom mandate. Get closer to God by living out your faith, setting a positive example for your family, and practicing what you preach as a kingdom man of valour.

By Brahim M. Kallon