Teach Your Men to Engage the World

from Patrick Morley

Volume 277
April 21, 2008

I can think of no sadder sin than the sin of “I don’t want to get involved.” Many men are convinced they are going to heaven, but seem content to let the world go to hell.

To embrace,overthrow, or withdraw from the world misses “the way of Jesus.” A man’s proper stance is to engage the world—to get involved. Jesus said, “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world (John 17:18)."

However, engaging the world will require something from the disciple. Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (Luke 9:23-24)."

Teach your men how to engage the world, which no doubt will require a personal sacrifice—even if only skipping a golf game. For example, they could:

• Invite a hurting neighbor or coworker to lunch
• Take a welcome gift and invite a new family in the neighborhood to church
• Visit someone in the hospital
• Ask someone strapped financially how they are doing
• You can no doubt think of dozens of other ideas

Challenge your men with this: Can a man truly say he loves Jesus if he never gets involved in people’s lives?

Yours for changed lives,

Patrick Morley, Ph.D.