Men are running somewhere. Young men. Droves of them. They are all looking for something that works.
Two generations ago, men in the West asked, "Is Christianity true?" Can I trust it? Is the Bible inerrant? There was a move in and amongst church folk to show the sufficiency and the verity of the Scriptures and the Church.
A generation ago, men asked, "Is Christianity easy?" Is it efficient? Can I have Jesus and the world, too? Seeker-sensitive churches promoted an easy-believeism Christianity, "come as you are and stay as you are..."
Today, men are asking, "Does Christianity work?" Does following this Jesus guy work?
There is a generation of men, young men, looking for something that works. This is why Jordan Peterson has more than 8,000,000 followers.
Joe Rogan has 14,500,000 listeners.
Andrew Tate has more than 9,000,000 disciples.
These men offer something that 'works.' Get rich. Get laid. Get fit. And in Peterson's case, 12 Rules for Life that will take you from an anxious, lost boy to a confident, productive man.
They offer something that works, and men [young men] are running towards them. As Nipsy said, "They follow me 'cause they think I know the way..."
Yet, WE, the Church, have what really works. A Savior that never disappoints. A well that never runs dry. A truth that sets the captives free. The problem is, no one is running to us.
Men, we are in the midst of a cultural moment. Conservatism is on the rise. Young men are searching. The Church's resources are plenty. If we are going to win the next generation, we need to show them a faith, a Church, and a Jesus that works.
To us older saints [myself included, I was at a small group gathering last week and, for the first time in my life, I was the old man in the room; I'm still recovering], we need to show the younger men a faith that works.
A disciplined, generous, joyous life—a faith that lives life to the full.
A man who knows God's Word and FOLLOWS it—he preaches it and PRACTICES it. A man who prizes God's Church—when the doors are open, he is there. A man who knows his worth but isn't afraid or demeaned when his worth is challenged. After all, he's a slave for Christ, and he's not bothered when others treat him as such. A man who takes care of his body and his lawn. A man who works hard and plays hard. A man who produces more than he consumes. A man who can enjoy the spoils of life without giving his heart over to those spoils. A man full of wisdom and encouragement who has a few extra dollars to help a friend in need. A man who is intentionally passing down his faith, traditions, beliefs, practices, and heritage to the next generation.
A manhood that works.
A Christ-centered marriage, one that lasts.
A husband who honors his commitments and the covenant of holy matrimony. He is a one-woman man who protects and provides for his wife physically, emotionally, and spiritually. A husband who has his bride's best interest at heart, putting her needs above his own. A husband who can load, ready, and fire a shotgun and remember to empty the dishwasher. A husband who reminds his wife that he loves her and is still in love with her, and those 15 extra pounds after four kids make her hips look just right. A man who recognizes that before she was his wife, she is God's daughter, worthy of honor, dignity, respect, gentleness, and love.
A marriage that works.
A man who works as one working for God.
He knows his work is holy, no matter how menial, small, and unappreciated. He shows up on time, stays late, goes the extra mile, and nothing is beneath his service. Changing oil or open heart surgery, he is ready to do his best and give his utmost for his Highest. His work is a blessing to the world, not a burden, a means to provide for his family, neighbors, and church. He works not because he has to but because he wants to; that's how God made Him, a garden-keeper who creates, builds, and expands the world and kingdom of God.
A mind and hands that work.
Brothers, young me are looking for something; more so, they are looking for someone, whether they know it or not. Give them a faith that works. Show them Jesus.
Joe Rogan does not have the answer. Jordan Peterson does not have the answer. Andrew Tate certainly does not have the answer.
But you do. Show them a faith that works.