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YOU HAVE certainly referred to a Christian leader as a man of God or many refer to you as a man of God. But how do you know that you or that Christian leader is truly a man of God?
The term, “man of God” is known in Scripture: “But as for you, O MAN OF GOD, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life…” (1 Timothy 6:11).
“…There is a MAN OF GOD who lives here in the town. He is held in high honour by all the people because everything he says comes true…” (1 Samuel 9:6).
We must understand that as a man who is called to serve God’s purpose in the world is referred to as a, “man of God”, a woman who is sent for similar purpose may also be referred to as a woman of God.
However, a man of God is not necessarily someone who has graduated from a Bible College, seminary or someone who has been ordained. A man of God is not necessarily someone who officiates wedding ceremonies, burial services or naming ceremonies.
Again, a man of God is not necessarily someone who wears priestly garments or is addressed as Pope, Archbishop, Bishop, Moderator, Senior Presbyter, Elder, Pastor, General Overseer, Prophet or Apostle.
Titles do not make men of God, servants of Christ or ministers of the Gospel. Servants of Christ do not attach titles to their names, but religious leaders do. Scripture makes this clear.
Prayerfully and meditatively consider the phrase, “a man of God.” You will see that God pulls some people from their trade, vocation or profession, and then trains, anoints and sends them to do His work in the world.
God pulled Moses from keeping the flock of Jethro, his father –in-law; Elisha left his plowing business and followed Elijah to be made a prophet of God; the Apostles who were called by the Lord Jesus left their businesses to do God’s work too.
So, to me, a man of God is a person called by God, prepared by God, anointed by God and sent from God with a specific assignment and message to serve God’s purpose in the world with faith working through love.
Moreover, a man of God is a person filled with God’s Spirit and is given a promise of God’s abiding presence. As God commissions them, He tells them “Go I will be with you,” as He did to Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, Gideon and the early Apostles.
There are many men in the world but not all of them can be said to be men of God. True men of God are in the world, but they are never of the world.
I mean, they are not men of the world but men of God. They are not men of women but men of God. They are not men of fame but men of God. They are not men of money but men of God. They are not men of the flesh but men of God. They are not men of fashion but men of God. They are not men of Satan but men of God. In fact, they are men of faith and love.
As God’s representatives, men of God live a life of obedience and love to God. Their love is first expressed to God and then flows to their neighbours including their enemies.
True men of God have the mind of Christ thereby enabling them to think the way Christ thought and serving the way Christ served not seeking their interests but Christ’s.
A man of God has a strong relationship with God so he hears and communicates deep things of God to edify, warn and comfort the people of God.
A man of God flees the love of money and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness. He fights the good fight of the faith and takes hold of the eternal life…” (1 Timothy 6:11).
Moreover, men of God do not habitually misbehave so they are held in high honour by all the people. In other words, people respect them because they are truthful. They do not give false prophesies to deceive people (1 Samuel 9:6).
They live above reproach, so when they sin they immediately run to God to plead His mercy and the blood of Christ Jesus. Men of God carry the supernatural aroma of Christ on themselves.
Indeed, a man of God is highly blessed!
By James Quansah
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James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.
