Thou Man of God!
To be a man of God means to live a life that is recognized by others as being holy and dependent on God, driven by a passion for God's glory.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the call to live as true 'men of God,' exemplified by Elijah, who was recognized for his holiness despite opposition. He highlights the humility required to bear such a title, noting that true goodness comes from God alone and that we should not boast of our own righteousness. Meyer encourages believers to focus on being for God, which alleviates self-consciousness and promotes a passion for Jesus' glory. He concludes with the idea that being in God and having God in us is achievable through perfect love, allowing us to be fully permeated by His presence.
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Thou man of God! 2 Kings i. 9, 11, 13.
OH that thou and I might so live before God and men, that they should recognise us as men of God, as God's men! See how these ungodly captains at once recognised this, in the case of Elijah. They fretted and chafed against his holiness; but they were forced to admit it. They tried to impose their orders, or those of their king; but they realized that Elijah was the servant of Him whom they set at nought, so far as their own lives were concerned.
If we are really men of God, we shall be the last to assume the title. Notice that Elijah puts an if before the title with which he was saluted: "If I be a man of God." Paul counted himself the least of all saints.
We must be of God. ‑‑ All our goodness must originate in Him. We can no more boast of goodness than a chamber can boast of the light which irradiates each corner of its space. The faith that takes his grace, as well as the grace it takes, is his. We are absolutely his debtors; and happy are they who love to have it so, and lie always at the Beautiful Gate of God's heart, expecting to receive alms at his hand.
We must be for God. ‑‑ This is the only cure for self‑consciousness, for that perpetual obtrusion of the self‑life which is our bane and curse. Ask that the Holy Spirit may fill you with so absorbing a passion for the glory of Jesus, that there may be no room to think of your own reputation or emolument.
We must be in God, and God in us. ‑‑ This is possible, when we love perfectly. He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Oh, sea of light, may we lie spread out in thy translucent waves, as the sponges in southern sapphire seas, till every fibre of our being be permeated and infilled!
Sermon Outline
- The Call to be a Man of God
- Recognized by others as men of God
- Characterized by humility and dependence on God
- Driven by a passion for God's glory
Key Quotes
“We can no more boast of goodness than a chamber can boast of the light which irradiates each corner of its space.” — F.B. Meyer
“He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.” — F.B. Meyer
“Oh, sea of light, may we lie spread out in thy translucent waves, as the sponges in southern sapphire seas, till every fibre of our being be permeated and infilled!” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with a passion for the glory of Jesus, and to overcome self-consciousness.
- Recognize that all your goodness originates in God, and be a debtor to His grace.
- Love perfectly, as described in 1 John 4:16, to be in God and God in you.