What defines a Man of God?

What is your definition of a Man of God?

[Love_Spell_6]

Although I am not a man..I will give my definition of a man of God..

I believe a man of God is one who is totally submitted to God. This means that nothing is more important to him than being a God-Chaser , pleasing God and doing his will. All of his goals, interests, activities etc. line up with the word of God. He makes no major decisions without consulting with his Heavenly Father first...and is obedient to direction from God. He has a strong relationship with God and you can see fruits produced in his life.

The converse of everything I'm saying is that there is no person, organization, career, etc. that is more important than God to this man. The majority of his conversations, activities will be more about spreading the gospel, winning souls etc. And even when he is in a secular setting ..his main goal will be to win souls!! Of course there is a need for balance...but you will not look at this man and say oh he's a badd Que ... you will see this man and say he's a mighty man of God...not because of the things he says..but because of what he does.

My definition is this:

A Man who has a close and personal relationship with god, outside of his professed religion. He is working to Honor the Will of God in all facets of his life through thought, action and speech.

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
Allah,Vishnu, Jehovah, Buddha, etc. are not the same God, so someone has a personal relationship with a false god. God is not someone found in a Cracker Jack box.

What was your point in saying this?

When I say god I mean higher power.

If you are gonna mince words then no need to have a conversation.

Have you done an in-depth study of those religions, AS a BELIEVER of those religions?

If so, then please break down the differences for me.

If not, then you are feeding me your interpretation of what the Christian "Word" has to say about OTHER religions.

Let me re-introduce myself.

I'm laidbackfella and I believe IN God not IN Christianity.

The Spirit is the GUIDE, the religion is the PRACTICE.

I'm more concerned about spirituality than religion.

Spirit is enduring, religions may come and go.

Spirit, in essence, is pure, some religions have agendas.

So when I say God, I put no SPIN of a religion with it.

I'm simply saying higher power.

Now you can assign any name that suits you best.

[ladygreek]

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
When you look at it from the the Devil's point of view, he saw God as a higher power also. He thought he could ascend above the MOST HIGH. He was wrong, and anyone claiming a higher power is making the same mistake. Read Psalms 2. In the same book, God puts His Word above His name.

Spirit- When the Christian speaks of the Spirit, we are talking about the Spirit that rules Crhistianity. The same Spirit that Jesus sent to replace Him. Not some guide, but THE guide. I am not talking religion, I am talking reality. I am not mincing words, religious and spiritual people just have a hard time dealing with "absolutes". The "religion" of Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ (God in the flesh). Then Jesus goes on to say that he is the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6), with Peter confirming it in Acts 4:12.

What has happened with Christianity is that "man" has syncretized it. Syncretism is the "attempt" or tendency to reconcile or or combine differing beliefs. The only TRUE God in His omniscience has set Christianity in a realm that makes it "impossible" to be syncretized. How? By making His ways "Absolute". The God of Christianity made it impossible for other gods to join, for other spirits to partake, and for no man to come to Him on other terms.

No I cannot apply any name that suits me. The Name has already been given, and who do we as humans think we have any say so or right to change what God has set up. Yet, make it so obvious as to Who he is, that His Word is true, and His ways unique as to not be mistaken for any other god or higher power. Hallelujah!!

Let Jesus Be Glorified

So are you saying that only Christians know the real God? And all others are worshiping a false God?

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by laidbackfella
What was your point in saying this?

When I say god I mean higher power.

If you are gonna mince words then no need to have a conversation.

Have you done an in-depth study of those religions, AS a BELIEVER of those religions?

If so, then please break down the differences for me.

If not, then you are feeding me your interpretation of what the Christian "Word" has to say about OTHER religions.

Let me re-introduce myself.

I'm laidbackfella and I believe IN God not IN Christianity.

The Spirit is the GUIDE, the religion is the PRACTICE.

I'm more concerned about spirituality than religion.

Spirit is enduring, religions may come and go.

Spirit, in essence, is pure, some religions have agendas.

So when I say God, I put no SPIN of a religion with it.

I'm simply saying higher power.

Now you can assign any name that suits you best.

This is the typical liberal and all inclusive view of religion that is very popular these days. To be a Christian means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. So if you are not calling yourself a Christian..... then you're not professing Jesus Christ as the Way the Truth and the Life. I guess your re-introduction of self explains why you take the stance you do on many subjects..so its cool to see the thought process behind the posts. The word says to put no other god before him..and that you cannot serve two masters. And that the only way to the Father is through the son Jesus Christ.

Back to the original question posed in this thread..I believe a man of God professes the Living God, Jesus Christ as his source for everything...and the only True God.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by Iconoclastic

What has happened with Christianity is that "man" has syncretized it. Syncretism is the "attempt" or tendency to reconcile or or combine differing beliefs. The only TRUE God in His omniscience has set Christianity in a realm that makes it "impossible" to be syncretized. How? By making His ways "Absolute". The God of Christianity made it impossible for other gods to join, for other spirits to partake, and for no man to come to Him on other terms.

No I cannot apply any name that suits me. The Name has already been given, and who do we as humans think we have any say so or right to change what God has set up. Yet, make it so obvious as to Who he is, that His Word is true, and His ways unique as to not be mistaken for any other god or higher power. Hallelujah!!

Let Jesus Be Glorified

You said a mouthful here. THis is so true. Man wants to make the Word of God fit their own lifestyle..instead of adapting to living how the word tells us to live. You summed it up perfectly.

[ladygreek]

Someone please answer my question. Are you saying that if I am not a Christian there is no way I can have a relationship with God?

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by ladygreek
Someone please answer my question. Are you saying that if I am not a Christian there is no way I can have a relationship with God?

You can have whatever relationship you deem that best fits your "style" - but that does not mean that you are a follower after Christ's own heart (or being "saved").

And yes, that means that you are of the Christian faith (or at minimum, you are a non-denominational Bible-believing church).

ETA:

To answer the initial question...

A Man of God - is a man that seeks after the heart of Christ.

short and simple That covers everything a man should be (i.e. characteristics, traits, habits, lifestyle, etc.)

[preachdawg]

In the words of the Winans, No, NO,NO! Ladygreek to answer your question as a professing christian no you cannot have a "relationship" with God outside of what it truly means to be a Christian. As Icon has already qouted in John 14:6 Jesus is the way to have a relationship with the Father.

[bwb]

--------------------------------------------------
Iconoclastic originally said:
The "religion" of Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ (God in the flesh). Then Jesus goes on to say that he is the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6), with Peter confirming it in Acts 4:12.
--------------------------------------------------



Was Christianity really founded by Jesus Christ? Jesus was a Jew, he studied the Torah and the writings of the prophets, observed the Jewish festivals... festivals that God himself gave as an eternal command for Jews and believing non Jews to follow.

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17-19

Christianity decided to observe the holy day on Sunday instead of Saturday, basically saying that Christian doctrine was more important than God's own 10 commandments. How can you respect the Sabbath and keep it holy if you decide to change what day you want to observe the sabbath on? Christianity decided to stop observing Jewish holidays and adopt pagan holidays and simply rename them. Jesus never told anyone to stop observing the Sabbath, and he certainly never told people to stop observing God's appointed festivals. Christianity has allowed the word to be perverted and has intentionally misled a lot of believers.

A true man of God doesn't need to label himself a christian. He will study and seek to draw near to God and not just blindly accept what has been passed down for years as "truths". He will persevere through trials and tribulations that will come his way without having to compromise what he believes in. He will lift up God above all others, and seek to aid and fellowship with others who share similar ideals and beliefs and want to draw nearer to God. He will lift up in prayer those who don't want God's hand in their life.

[ladygreek]

So Muslims or Jews cannot have a relationship with God?

So Moses, Noah, David, Solomon, Jacob, Adam weren't Men of God?

They certainly came before Christ. Were they not worthy to be called Men of God?

Some of you need to check your statements before you hit Submit Reply cuz obviously you have ignored the history taught in the Old Testament.

I will summarily dismiss any diatribe you enter in this thread should you fail to START off your response with an answer to the first question I've posed.

Being that the Bible is a book of history, how can you respond to this question with an answer that ignores EVERYTHING that proceeded Jesus?

To sum it up I have THREE questions I desire a straight answer for:

1) Which of the following NON CHRISTIAN men was NOT a man of God, Moses, Noah, David, Solomon, Jacob or Adam?

2) Can you name an example of a Godly Man in today's society?

3) Who said that I was a Christian?

[stardusttwin]

I really don't want to get into this debate but I had to address this...

Originally posted by bwb
Christianity decided to observe the holy day on Sunday instead of Saturday, basically saying that Christian doctrine was more important than God's own 10 commandments. How can you respect the Sabbath and keep it holy if you decide to change what day you want to observe the sabbath on? Christianity decided to stop observing Jewish holidays and adopt pagan holidays and simply rename them. Jesus never told anyone to stop observing the Sabbath, and he certainly never told people to stop observing God's appointed festivals. Christianity has allowed the word to be perverted and has intentionally misled a lot of believers.

Actually this is INcorrect. While Jews and Muslims do observe the sabbath - Friday nite into Saturday Christians celebrate the new beginning, the New Testament which was given to us with Jesus' birth, death and resurrection-which occurred on SUNDAY (He was crucified and left in the tomb because of the observance of the Sabbath-when the women went to clean His body they discovered He had risen). Most Jews don't acknowledge the New Testament so they observe the rules and rituals as are listed in the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus)-the same bible that I read. Christians acknowledge that with Christ there was a new beginning and for us that brought new rules for living.

What is outlined in the Old Testament are rules to be followed under the OLD covenant which was between God and his chosen people-the Jews. Christians believe in the good news of the New Testament and as such observe the NEW covenant (between God and all). With Jesus's death the rules were changed...his death was THE ultimate sacrifice...no need to keep killing bulls and observing other rituals that HE himself practiced as a Jew BEFORE his death.

On a historical note...the early Christians were considered a sect (or denomination) of the Jews. They still observed the Sabbath and observed the numerous rules as listed in the Old Testament but believed that the Messiah they were waiting for had come. As the "movement" spread, other differences arose and the "sect" was no longer recognized by the Jews. To spread the word the new Christians began to codify the "New Testament" (writings from the apostles, letters from Paul). They believed that the new covenant was made possible because of Christ's death and resurrection. Christians celebrate this by worshiping on the first day of the week (Sunday). Because Christ died our sins were washed away and we don't have to make sacrifices or have someone intercede on our behalf anymore. So as believers of the new covenant we don't observe past holidays as outlined in the Old Testament such as Rosh Hassana (sp?) and Yom Kippor or observe the Sabbath as traditionally done by Jews who are still waiting for the Messiah to come and thus continue to operate on the old covenant, rules and regulations.

Its important to read the Bible as both a spiritual document (written with divine intervention) & as a historical one (taken into account the times it was written and what was culturally acceptable at the time). But as a practicing Christian its important to note that things were not randomly changed just for the heck of it.

Anyone who QUOTES scripture from the bible ALSO needs to POST that scripture from the Bible. And even that out of the context of the passage can be twisted to support a personal agenda.

If you want to provide support for YOUR point, FINE. But that should not REQUIRE anyone else to do their own research on the example YOU are providing.

Everyone who reads thread this won't post. Most of them who read this will not have a deep knowledge of the Bible.

My initial question asked, "What is your definition of a Man of God?". Many Christians, as usual, ASSumed that all involved in this conversation approach it from a Christian background.

Intelligent Men and Women can not live by soundbite or snapshot alone. So refrain from posting SOLELY, your understanding and where the scripture can be found. Post the scripture, unless you feel that it may contradict what you are saying.

Any further references without supporting scripture will give cause, for me at least, to dismiss your post as the ramblings of a trash can preacher.

Thank You In Advance