The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Trigger Warning

⁣ Without masculine men, a church looks like a book club for women.

Unknown author

This hits pretty hard. It should hit harder if you’re a follower of Jesus and irregularly attend your home church. That’s the point. Any man should feel the gut punch of disgrace if they are complacently taking part in a church that offers weak leadership and guidance for Christian men who are faithfully trying to navigate the wilds of secularism. That bold assertion may trigger you, and that was a risk worth taking. Triggering is not the goal; Christlikeness is the goal for all of us. Tim Challies shares an interesting take on Jerry Bridges’ book, The Discipline of Grace, and the goal of the Christian life.

Bridges looks at two different texts and two different ways the Bible speaks the goal of the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that “we are being transformed into [Christ’s] likeness,” while Romans 8:29 states that God “predestined [all believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Bridges says, “Christlikeness is God’s goal for all who trust in Christ, and that should be our goal also.”

Both words, transformedand conformed, have a common root, form, meaning a pattern or a mold. “Being transformed” refers to the process; conformed refers to the finished product. Jesus is our pattern or mold. We are being transformed so that we will eventually be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. Sanctification or holiness (the words are somewhat interchangeable), then, is conformity to the likeness of Jesus Christ.

If you’re a Christian and can go to church, make it a priority and go. Being actively involved in a local church must be a commitment for you and your family. Make integrity a virtue you live by, match your beliefs, words, and actions, and return to church. ⁣

⁣“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT

Churches are inundated with females, and masculine men are increasingly rare. Females in church are not the problem; the passivity of men is a problem. ⁣Find a church. Ask the pastor to hold you accountable for spiritual growth over time.

Be a mentor.

Find a mentor.

Be a better man.

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