Look, In The Sky
Iron Man does exists. Actually, Iron Men do. God confirms it through Solomon’s writing of Proverbs.
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Over the last few months God placed a burden on my heart for the condition of man. I’ve written several straightforward articles about spiritual obligation, adultery, absence and the general failure of men to stand the gap where marriage and family are concerned.
“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”
Ezekiel 22:30
God also led me to focus my daily videos and prayers at Brick Breakers on these same topics. While it might seem I’ve launched a negative campaign against my brothers, I’ve simply prayed to receive God’s word and shared it.
We men have some work to do, but it’s not like we haven’t had examples of good men doing bad things since Adam threw Eve under the bus over the whole forbidden fruit ordeal in the Garden of Eden.
Positive Word
This week God spoke so clearly to me about the importance of role models. Men who loved the Lord and invested their time to share God’s love and salvation with other men. Not all who make eternal impressions on others are relatives. Some are friends, coworkers and even strangers.
The best way to describe a brother in Christ who is unafraid to swoop into the secular world to share God’s word is an Iron Man. Cloaked in the armor of God, they understand the humanity of emotions telling them to avoid the confrontation over what is right in a world that values what is easy or just feels good, but they charge into the spiritual battle anyway.
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:10-18
It’s important that we recognize and lift these men up in our families, churches and communities. They’re often unknown and unsung in our culture. Usually the meek who possess a powerful supernatural presence, real-life Iron Men don’t pursue attention or earthly accolades.
We should look closely in our homes and families. Unfortunately, this is where true Iron Men are often overlooked and underappreciated. There are guys out there everyday doing God’s work.
They may not be on TV or behind a pulpit, but they are leading their households by God’s word, they are edifying their wife, they are mentoring their kids in the ways of the word and they are laboring honestly for a day’s wage.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
Joshua 24:15
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:18
An Enemy’s Attack
It’s tough being an Iron Man in today’s secular world. Christians are the most persecuted religion on the globe. A recent study by the Center for Studies on New Religions claim that 90,000 Christians were killed in 2016.
How easy would it have been to remain silent or publicly decry Christ? No, these Iron Men along with their counterpart sisters remained faithful. God does say we will suffer persecution for our position within the kingdom. This alone dissolves the resolve of many, but in the case of the true Iron Men, it readies them for the confrontation for Christ’s sake.
Threats against Iron Men not only come from people counter to the Christian faith, but from supernatural attacks. Satan hates to see anyone accept Jesus Christ as their savior. The devil despises losing the lost to God’s saving grace.
Once men make the decision to stand for Christ; their wife, kids and family will come under attack by satan. Iron Men understand this, and step behind the protective shield of God for protection. But how do men know how to seek shelter and ensure evil is defeated?
It Takes Male Mentors
I sometimes say, “Okay, you’re a Christian, now what?”
It’s not meant to be cutting, but the reality is, it’s a life changing experience.
Unless there are other believers available to the new Christian or better yet, Iron Men willing to mentor the saved man, he may languish back into his old ways. Yes, we are made new, but we also require fellowship with others in the body of Christ.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
I’ll confess when I was first saved, I was set upon by family members who thought I’d joined a cult, or had lost my mind. Those most vocal hadn’t personally stepped inside a church or acknowledged Jesus except in times of peril. But they didn’t hesitate to throw buckets of water on the Holy Spirit’s fire.
The effect caused me to tamp down my joy. I had indeed accepted Christ as my savior, but I wasn’t trained up in the ways of an Iron Man. It wasn’t until I was surrounded by men of faith and conviction that I understood my role of serving the kingdom.
Iron Men
This isn’t a fantasy comic character. These men are real and they are incredible. They face the same troubles and temptations everyone else does. Some have actually fallen a time or two, but have never refused to get back up. That’s the key to living an active-learning life for Christ.
Knowing Christ isn’t a one moment of salvation activity. It’s an everyday, all day series of pursuit that draws men closer to the heart and will of Christ. Becoming an Iron Man isn’t being perfect in the eyes of others or hiding away to avoid life’s difficulties. It means getting involved by caring for and loving others. Being tough is one thing, being God-tough is another.
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Iron Man is real, but instead of missiles and rocket thrusters, he has a bible in his hand and God’s word in his heart. When you see him, thank him. There really aren’t enough of them around these days, but I trust that soon there will be.
I Am 2nd,