By way of introduction to this series on godly manhood, it is important that we understand that we live in a time in which some minimize or even deny the God-given distinctions between men and women. The source of this dangerously flawed thinking is a deeply embedded rebellion and hatred against the God who created us. Until we experience a change of heart and thinking that comes from being born again and through surrendering our lives to Christ and his Word, we insist on governing our lives as we see fit without reference to God or his will for us. Even those of us who have decided to follow Christ must battle the destructive impulse to try to live independently from God. When we choose to submit to Christ’s lordship, however, the Holy Spirit begins to transform our thinking, which eventually will result in a change in how we live.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1–2 (NASB95)
The Spirit’s goal is to bring every area of our lives into alignment with God’s perfect design, order, and will. Not only will this glorify God, but it will also maximize our fulfillment and happiness.
What does it mean for a man to live as God intends? What are our unique responsibilities has God given to men? Are there any corresponding privileges? This series of teachings will look at two important roles God may give to us as men – husband and father. I will also explain the importance of leaving behind a godly legacy. But first, let us consider something very important that is sometimes overlooked.
The New Resurrection Order
Christians live in a tension between that which was, already is, and that which is coming. Sometimes the lines blur between the last two, making the Christian life challenging to navigate.
When Jesus died on the cross, he put to death much of the old order of things which came from Adam. When our Lord rose again, he birthed a brand new resurrection reality.
This new reality is something about which Paul wrote.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NASB)
When Jesus died on the cross, the following aspects of the old order of things were put to death with him.
- Racism – When Jesus, the Jew, died on the cross, God destroyed the inherent spiritual difference between the Jews and those outside the old covenant promises, called Gentiles. Jesus’ resurrection created “one new man” in Christ – the church. All forms of racism were dealt a death blow, making every person equal in God’s kingdom. There is now only one chosen people, the elect. (Ephesians 2:15, 19)
- Legalism – The Law’s power to point out our failures and condemn us was put to death on the cross as a result of our dying with Christ. (Romans 7:4) Jesus’ resurrection gave birth to a new age of living as justified children of God in the power of the Spirit. There is a fundamental difference between trying hard to please God and life in the Spirit by those who have already been made pleasing to God through faith in Christ.
- Religion and Ritual – Sacrifice, circumcision, Sabbath observance, the Temple, and that nation of Israel were rendered obsolete after the resurrection. Jesus fulfilled all of those shadows that merely pointed toward Christ and his life, crucifixion, resurrection, and lordship. In the New Covenant, the church of born again saints is called the “Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16) Now we worship in Spirit and truth instead of according to the Old Covenant rituals. (John 4:24)
- Gender and Socio-Economic Distinctions – When Jesus rose from the dead, he put to death the old order of things which often focused on outward distinctions, such as gender and social status. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.
In the new “resurrection reality,” there is no longer a male-female distinction in the Spirit, even though it is still true biologically, since we all still live in physical bodies as part of the Adamic order.
A Dynamic Gender Tension
Jesus said that in heaven there will be no marriage because gender will be a thing of the past. (Matthew 22:30)
However, we now live in the dynamic tension between what is and what is to come. We live in bodies that are part of the old Adamic order of things, but our born again spirits are in union with God and participate in the new resurrection reality. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
We are born into this world as either a male or a female. Our sexual identity affects us physically, emotionally, and in countless other ways. We are wired differently in our brains, have different muscular and skeletal structures, and have been given radically different functions in the reproductive process. To pretend that there are no essential differences is to be in willful denial. God separated Adam into male and female partly to illustrate that we need each other for companionship and completion. Together, as married couples, we are able more perfectly to reflect God’s image and experience what it means to be human.
As Christians, we must navigate the challenging tension of the “already here – not yet arrived” aspect of God’s kingdom. Spiritually there is no male or female, but naturally speaking there is. Can we integrate the two realities? Since God created us with the ability to interface with the natural and spiritual worlds, we are challenged to discover what aspects of each dimension have priority at the present time in a given situation. In this natural world which we presently inhabit, we have God-given gender-specific roles. Only a man can be a father and a husband, despite the protests by the radical Left to the contrary.
To rebel against God’s creation order is to rebel against the Creator.
However, to limit our understanding and application solely to the natural order of things is to miss out on some of the wonders of the New Covenant and revert back to a form of legalism.
It is important for us to understand that God can take any aspect of the resurrection and apply it to our present natural reality any time he desires.
Before Christ’s resurrection, the only way to be included in God’s covenant with Abraham was to join the Jewish covenant community. This meant adhering to all of the Law’s commandments and regulations. It also meant that every male had to be circumcised as an external sign of his covenant inclusion and commitment. Circumcision was uniquely male, of course, signifying that males had greater privilege and access to God. This was reinforced in the Law of Moses with regard to sanctuary access. Women were kept on the outside. They were not even regarded as reliable witnesses and not afforded the same educational opportunities as men. Their intrinsic worth was valued below men by the Law of Moses, as is shown by the relative fees for redemption being different for males and females.
Jesus erased these inequalities through his death and resurrection. The “one new man” created in him includes both male and female, slave and free, and Jew and Gentile, making the church the greatest of all “melting pots.”
At first, many of the early Jewish Christians assumed that the requirement of circumcision was still in effect. Many in the church did not yet understand the radical changes connected to the New Covenant. The requirement of circumcision was clearly stated in the Scriptures. (Genesis 17:14) It was shocking to Peter when he witnessed an uncircumcised Gentile named Cornelius begin to speak in tongues without having been previously circumcised. This surprising act of the Holy Spirit required the apostles to rethink their position regarding circumcision. It God were not demanding it, why should they? The Holy Spirit was only available to God’s children. (Acts 11:15-18) God showed that Cornelius was one of God’s children based simply on believing the gospel. Such an event demanded a revision of the church’s theology. After all, our theology should be one that God follows!
Paul seemed to be the first to develop this into a comprehensive theology. He understood that Abraham was justified by faith before ever being circumcised. (Romans 4:10-13) This scriptural precedent allowed him to develop the doctrine of justification by faith, one of the most important part of the New Covenant. In his Letter to the Romans, Paul explained that circumcision is no longer necessary. Now what is required is faith in the finished work of Christ, through which the heart is circumcised.
For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6 (NLT) But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. Romans 2:29 (NASB95)
Christ fulfilled the Law, thereby making it’s ritual aspects obsolete.
True “circumcision” is now something spiritual that happens on the inside, in the heart, as a result of the new birth and the indwelling Spirit. (Philippians 3:3) For followers of Christ now to submit to outward circumcision as a means to obtain or maintain a right standing with God would be reverting to Old Covenant externals and legalism and would result in our “falling from grace.” (Galatians 5:1-4) New Covenant believers must stand on faith in Christ’s finished work or not stand at all.
For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. Galatians 5:4 (NLT)
What does this have to do with our topic? Not only is circumcision no longer critical in the resurrection reality that Christ introduced, but other things have changed as well. What about the distinction between men and women in God’s kingdom? Judaism offered women greater nobility and protection than other religions, but Jesus took things to a whole new level by including women in his band of disciples. He dignified women by first appearing to them after his resurrection, making them the very first to be witnesses his resurrection glory. Women were also significant ministers in the early church.
How did Paul make the huge leap to go from including women in the band of disciples to saying there is “neither male nor female?” He saw the Spirit at work in women, just as he saw evidence of the Spirit’s work in the uncircumcised Cornelius. He also knew that there was an Old Testament antecedent. God previously raised up Deborah to lead Israel and command generals.
When we observe a present work of the Spirit that is corroborated by a biblical antecedent, it gives us insight into God’s New Covenant resurrection reality. This is what Paul did regarding circumcision and regarding women.
Gender Roles Still Exist
However, please do not assume at this point that I am throwing out all teaching on male headship. I am not. In this present male-female oriented natural world, we still have gender specific roles to play. Some of these roles are non-transferable. Others are more malleable. Hopefully this series of articles will help to shed some light on these things and help us to better understand and fulfill our gender specific roles in life.
