Isn't that what makes a man?

Today my son, my only son, whom I love, is 3.

Many changes are ahead. Sunday was his last day in the nursery. He will go to "big boy" Sunday school this week and even stay in the main service with us, since this is "Family Worship Sunday" where we partake of the Lord's Supper. The following week, he'll go to Children's Church.

He's excited and I'm excited for him. I taught him this morning that he should no longer say, "Ich bin zwei Jahre alt," but now he's "drei Jahre alt." He's a big boy and he needs to handle up on this potty training slooge.

However, I can assure you that the transitions for him on the horizon will be more significant that these. My boy is becoming a big boy who will become a kid who will become a yute who will become a man.

I wonder(ed), what would I like him to look like? What does it mean to be a man?

One might ask, "is it, being prepared to do the right things? Whatever the price? Isn't that what makes a man?"

Another might say, "He knows how to laugh. he knows when to cry. He knows it's best to live. He's not afraid to die."

Robert Lewis would say a real man "rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects the greater reward."

What would you say? What makes a man?

Obviously, our question could/should be narrowed to what makes a godly man?

To that end, I heartily recommend the following:

• Wimps and Barbarians an article by Terrence O. Moore that describes two errant ways boys develop.
• Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family by Steve Farrar (particularly the chapter on Raising Masculine Sons and Feminine Daughters)
• Raising a Modern-Day Knight by Robert Lewis

What do I want for my son? Hopefully, I want for him what God wants. (Eric Jr. has a disadvantage in such achievement since his most accessible role model is severely lacking in these categories, but I pray God's grace will overcome.)

I want him to be godly, to:

• know God through Christ and seek to honor Him. (John 17:3; Jer 9:23-24)
• hate sin. (Amos 5:15)
• exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)
• jealously guard right biblical doctrine. (2 Tim 4:2-5; 1 Tim 4:16)
• to be just, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
• disciple others unto godliness. (2 Tim 2:2)
• to endure everything for the sake of the elect. (2 Tim 3:10)
• passionately love God & others. (Matt 22:36-40)
• impact lives to the glory of God.
• love Jesus. (John 14:21)

But I do want him to be a godly man. I want him to:

• respect women (e.g., treating them with their deserved dignity, opening doors, carrying heavy stuff, being gentle and not harsh, see them as image bearers and not objects, helping when they are in automotive need, etc.).
• beat up boys on the playground that pester his sister(s).
• beat up boys on the playground that pester other girls.
• work hard, as unto the Lord. (Col 3:23)
• play hard, with the guys, to develop masculine bonds.
• know how to camp, shoot, and fix things.
• be a one woman man.
• step up and lead when/where necessary.
• know when to fight and when not to, knowing what things are worth fighting for and what things aren't.

Isn't that what makes a man?
Isn't that what makes a godly man?