What does it take to be a “Man of God”? I once read a description of a “Man of God” and it read that this is a man that follows God in every way. He obeys God’s commands with joy. He lives for the things of eternity and not for the things of the world and what life throws at us on a daily basis. A “Man of God” gives freely of his talents and resources and suffers what the world places before him because of his faith.
Not long ago I attended the funeral of a cousin of mine and to see the friends that came to say goodbye was astonishing. The church was packed probably seating 500 or more people. The night before at his visitation I am told that over a 1,000 people came to express their condolences to his family and say their goodbyes to him.
This was a young man of 53 years old but his reputation and work in the community exceeded expectations of many. He loved the Lord, his wife, his three children, his parents and everyone else. He served his community as an elected official and on the day of his death the town recognized him by flying the flag at the courthouse at half-mast. As the pastor said at his funeral, here lies a “Man of God”.
I can truly say that I never heard this man say anything out of line about anyone. He will be remembered as a person that did not swindle or defraud his employers, which were the people of his county. He did not waste time but went about his work with joy and did whatever he needed to do keep the peace and make everything right with all people. He did not speak harshly about people and was concerned about the untruths and negativity that the world presents to you every day.
The prophet Micah tells us in his book, chapter 6:8; “He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah was telling the Israelites the answer to their sin problems. As in the world today many think that numerous or more painful sacrifices will justify their sin problems with the Lord but the Lord desires something much deeper than religious rites or religious observances. He desires a change of heart and asks us to quit being hypocritical about what we think God wants from us.
My young cousin understood this verse. He acted justly by being a person with a sense of knowing right from wrong, he loved mercy by showing love and loving kindness to all people, and he walked humbly because of his attitude toward God. He was a godly example for everyone to see.
He loved to sing praises to the Lord and his church will sorely miss him and his talents. He loved his hometown and his constituents will miss him and his fair treatment of everyone. He loved his family and treated his wife with respect and both of them raised their children in a godly home, but most of all he is loved his Lord and wanted to serve Him in every way possible. He was called home too soon but will be remembered as a “Man of God”. How do you want to be remembered?
