If I ask what a husband is today, the definitions could vary considerably, depending, of course, upon what kind a day a wife is having…

This English word is derived from a combination of the Scandinavian words “hús” and “bóndi.” Húsbóndi meant “house occupier.” I actually have a college degree in Animal Husbandry but, for over fifty years, I never felt so inclined to investigate the morphology of this term. That happened only after I learned that the true Biblical meaning of the word “husband” was much more encompassing than a dictionary or a certificate of learning could ever suggest.

In fact, being a husbandman is one of the primary characteristics of a godly man.

But how does he do that?

Perhaps by first understanding what husbandry actually is. Efficiency is the key. A husbandman builds upon what he has and makes it better. He takes his extensive knowledge of something and combines it with a passion to make it thrive and prosper for him and those who depend on him.

Jesus’ parable about being productive with resources [or talents] provides a comprehensive model of effective husbandry. [Matt. 25:14-40] A successful husbandman seeks to understand his domain well and strives to learn how to connect, cultivate and invest in it wisely. But it isn’t limited to his relationship with his wife.

It might also include a cornfield or a mission field. Or maybe a herd of cattle or a flock of the Lord’s sheep.

But, whatever it is that he does, he does it for his Master since he understands that, while redemption is wholly unearned, the reward of an inheritance in the coming kingdom is based on works. [Col. 3:23-24]. The true husbandman is focused more on the welfare and fertility of his domain than he is on personal status.

The Lord’s mandate for man to work was both defined and demonstrated consistently in form and function. [see: Gen. 2:5-15] His realm of responsible husbandry extends well beyond that of his occupation, wife and family to include everything in his domain.

He acquires. He sows. He cultivates. He guards. Then he reaps.

There’s nothing like hearing it from the horse’s mouth.

For example, when it came to raising the dead, Jesus was very straightforward explaining exactly what He intended to do and when:

” …I have come down from the heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that, of every [thing] that He has given Me, I lose nothing of it, but raise it up on the last day. For this [also] is the will of My Father, that everyone who is observing the Son and believing in Him shall possess eternal life, and I Myself shall raise him up on the last day.” [Jn. 6:38-40; see also: Jn. 6:44]

So then, what would be the reason for “raising” someone if part of him wasn’t actually dead?

And what is the actual significance of being raised up on the last day?

Plenty. According to the apostolic authors, this event coincides with Jesus Christ’s return to the earth when He not only raises the righteous dead [see: Ac. 24:15; Lk. 14:14], but also inaugurates the Lord’s Millennial Kingdom. [see: 1Thes. 4:13; 1Cor. 15; Rev. 19,20]

The goal of the Christian life is to live in the age.

However, most Bible translations today use the word “forever” where the Greek idiom, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, is found in the text. Literally, this phrase means, “in [or into] the age.” Unfortunately, these translations often turn the meaning around to fit the traditional bias’ of the translators. But Jesus never needed to explain what it meant.

Because everyone understood that in order to “live in the [coming] age,” they’d first need to be raised back to life:

“I am the living bread that came down out of the heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he shall live in the age…” [Jn. 6:51]

“He who is eating My flesh and drinking My blood possesses eternal life , and I shall raise him up on the last day.” [Jn. 6:54

“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who is eating Me, he also shall live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the [manna the] fathers ate and died. He who is eating this bread shall live in the age.” [Jn. 6:57-58]

These words Jesus spoke are conditional in context.

Eat well, Brothers.

I’d like to think I could never separate myself from the Lord.

And the apostle Paul reminds us that nothing can ever separate us from His love. [see: Rom. 8:38-39] But even if I unwittingly choose to “…grieve the Spirit,” I’m pushing the envelope. [see: Eph. 4:30]

I am, after all, a man originally created with an inherent nature to sin. [see: Rom. 7:14-25]

The problem is, that dog still hunts in every man still drawing breath in this age. But it seems that every second I allow the Spirit to lead me, it’s impossible for me to grieve Him. [see: Rom. 8:5-10]

King David developed a similar pragmatic attitude about his faith and obedience to the Lord. While he was certainly a man after God’s own heart, he never pulled any punches about his imperfect nature. Nor did he ever persist trying to make excuses for his abhorrent behavior.

During the short time he tried to dance around his illegitimate affair with his best friend’s wife, he was slamming the door in the face of the Holy Spirit—over and over again. Remember also that he was about as “saved” as a man could be at that time.

The Lord had set him apart by anointing him King of His people.

Yet in spite of his conduct, he revered God. The Scriptures record no evidence that he sought any resentment or vengeance for the Lord’s judgement upon him. Instead, David demonstrated the epitome of repentance and contrition:

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” [Psa. 51:12] [my emphasis]

But then, could he have known instinctively that “sustaining” salvation required a prophylactic approach?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts, and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. “ [Psa. 139:23-24] [my emphasis]

The Lord keeps His faithful train on the track.

Who are we supposed to be?

Where is the actual paradigm for masculine conduct? If I ask ten different men I’m likely to get ten different answers. Indeed, some will claim the Bible provides the model.

So why, then, are some men who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ not demonstrating righteous virility in their lives?

[virile (virəl) adjective; having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive (typically used of a man); having or characterized by strength and energy]

Disobedience could be a reason. But perhaps ignorance is the real culprit.

Because if I’m trying to envision the archetype of the Godly man through the lens of an effeminate culture prevailing in our congregations today, then I’m not seeing the pattern I need to see.

But if we men will just open our eyes, we’ll see a vacuum being filled as a result of our passive, malleable presence. And it’s all on us.

I cannot convey Biblical virility by being amenable for the sake of peace in Christ’s ecclesia. This is one of most effective maneuvers in Satan’s toolbox. If he can overwhelm the otherwise faithful disciple with a voracious appetite for sports, leisure and pornography, then that man will have no problem surrendering his God-ordained office of headship in both his family and his congregation.

And he’ll also unwittingly forfeit the opportunity to demonstrate responsible leadership and virile behavior in every dimension of his life.

Perhaps many of us who claim to belong to Jesus Christ aren’t aware that we were created to be saviors of the world just like our Master. We were made to lead, protect and reflect the essence of masculinity that’s conducive to the Lord’s standards of human male conduct.

But righteous virility isn’t a commodity available for purchase. It is, in fact, a vital male attribute already existing in each of us, accessible only by the will of the Spirit.

Only through the Spirit can I seek and learn to be what I was meant to be.

One of the first Bible verses my friend suggested I memorize confounded me:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” [Jn. 15:5] [my emphasis]

[μένω: (mê’-nō) intransitive verb: to remain, stay, abide, live, dwell, last, endure, continue; transitive: await, wait for]

“…apart from Him I can do nothing?”

How could I have been apart from Jesus if I was already saved?

At that time though, I didn’t understood what being saved actually meant. But I’d also never considered the very personal nature of His appeal to remain in Him either, having never contemplated any type of relationship with Him to be closer than arm’s length.

It was a Presbyterian thing in my mind. They never talked about “being in Jesus” or Him “being in them.” He was up there. We were down here. Everything revolved around rote liturgy and life-lesson sermons. So, until I learned to read the Bible inductively, I never realized that being a disciple of Christ actually did have a cost.

I can perform a lot of great works for Jesus and never miss the opportunity to gather to worship or pray in His name. But if Christ is not in me, sustaining me with enough spiritual sap in my branches to resist the real battle against the lusts of this age, then I don’t belong to Him. [see Rom. 8:9-11; see also Matt. 7:21-23]

As a result, my ability to persevere and overcome in faith will atrophy. My lifeline to the Source of the vine will dry up.

This passage confirms the functional essence of discipleship in Jesus Christ. It’s not a spectator sport. It demands active participation.

But if I intend to remain in anything, I have to actually be there first.

A free lunch is never the Lord’s standard. It’s the exception.

But the Great Deceiver is busy handing out meal tickets. The menu includes a savory blend of heavenly promises, seasoned with just the perfect amount of truth in order to make them appetizing.

And there’s no shortage of takers.

Because demanding accountable behavior is a hard sell, so it must be concealed in the red herring that’s served in congregational sermons and teaching today. Assemblies have become membership recruiting facilities, sharing a gospel with no strings attached—except for the financial ones, of course.

But accountability still continues to raise its ugly head, for it’s no less an essential attribute of our Lord than love itself.

It’s His nature. That’s why the very first institution He created was individual responsibility. [see: Gen. 2:15-17] He provided the first man, Adam, with a sphere of responsibility consisting of work and moral accountability. And the solemn nature of the man’s task was tempered with the means to accomplish it, a limitation, and a warning of death.

If I choose not to be accountable when I should, I’m letting down more than my family, friends and community. I’m not just thwarting the intentions of our Lord’s Divine Nature, I’m also desecrating them.

Wake up.

The Father of Lies watches the righteous man like a hawk, ready to pounce at just the right time—that moment he lets his guard down. Your dad was right. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Are you toiling in Jesus Christ’s fields or sitting in His soup kitchen?

For the harvest is near, and the work is plenty.