The Man Of God

Feature 2 –June 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The MAN OF GOD

Elisha
A travelling prophet had been in the habit of stopping at the home of a couple in Shunem in order to rest during his journey. Hospitality had been offered to the man, and while the woman served his meals and spoke to him, she began to form an opinion of his character. Turning to her husband, she remarked, “Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually” (2 Ki. 4:8-9 KJV ). What led the woman to make this observation? Was there something distinctive about this man that caused her to regard him as a holy man? How can we recognize a “man of God” today?

The Scriptures have much to say about godly people. According to the Bible, godliness, or “God-likeness,” is a vital characteristic that should mark the lives of men and women who serve the Lord. Those who are godly are unlikely to be popular in the world. Also, not all who profess to believe the gospel can be given the description “man [or woman] of God.” Some believers appear to be more Christ-like and have a way of radiating His presence. We can perhaps detect something godly in a person we meet, but what does the Bible reveal about the person who really knows the Lord?

Returning to the visitor at Shunem, Elisha, we discover that he is repeatedly called a “man of God” in Scripture. Elijah, his predecessor, was also identified as a “man of God” (1 Ki. 17:18,24; 2 Ki. 1:9). Elisha began his service on a positive note, by spending time with Elijah (1 Ki. 19:19-21). Then, during his visits to Shunem, Elisha was called a “man of God” on a number of occasions (2 Ki. 4:9,16,21-22). Later, a gift of bread and corn was brought to this “man of God” (v.42). It was “Elisha the man of God” who heard of the king’s distress and invited the great Naaman to his humble abode (5:8).

At least seven years later the woman from Shunem still recognized Elisha as a “man of God” (8:2). Even at the end of his life, although sick and bedridden, he was “the man of God” (13:14,19). Is there a simple explanation that will enable us to understand why, throughout his life, Elisha was described in this way? Perhaps the answer can be discovered in 2 Kings 2:9, where just before Elijah was called into the Lord’s presence, Elisha had requested a double portion of his spirit. Could this desire account for the vision, purpose and power that marked Elisha’s life?

A Few Others
In 2 Chronicles 25:7 an unnamed “man of God” came to Amaziah with a message from the Lord. Another, Igdaliah, is named but remains virtually unknown (Jer. 35:4). David, in spite of a life that was not perfect, is described as “the man of God” (2 Chr. 8:14).

A prophet of whom we read in 1 Kings 13:1 as “a man of God” was still remembered as “the man of God” about three hundred years later (2 Ki. 23:16-17). The account of his life in 1 Kings 13 tells of how he experienced an untimely death because he had disobeyed the Lord, proving that men and women of God do not attain sinless perfection in this world. Rather, they are people who enjoy close fellowship with the Lord, are His messengers and – to some degree – represent Him by living godly lives.

With the passing of many centuries we can look back and recall men and women who have been used by God in extraordinary ways. Preachers and servants of the Lord who have achieved remarkable things for Him may bear the hallmarks of being true people of God. The Lord has His men and women in every generation. The record of their lives can inspire us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and live for the glory of God.

Timothy
There is one person in the New Testament who is addressed as “man of God,” and he teaches us some important lessons about how we can be people of that caliber. His name was Timothy, a younger person. Some, in fact, despised his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). He was timid, but Paul encouraged him to be bold (2 Tim. 1:7). He also had some health problems which caused Paul to give him medical advice (1 Tim. 5:23). In spite of these apparent weaknesses, Timothy was a true man of God. In the concluding part of the first letter to Timothy, Paul exhorted him as a “man of God” to do three things: flee, follow and fight (6:11-12). Let us consider these instructions.

Flee
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things” (v.11). What “things” are these to which the apostle was referring? Earlier in the chapter Paul mentioned wrong doctrines that some were teaching: “If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words ... he is proud, knowing nothing” (vv.3-4). The substance of their teaching was unhealthy, spiritually speaking, rather than the “wholesome words” that characterized the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospels record His teaching in detail. We must often ponder those simple and yet profound truths.

Connected with what He taught is “the doctrine ... according to godliness” (v.3). Some false teachers preached a kind of “prosperity gospel,” connecting gain with godliness (v.5). Many today follow this pattern and wrongly teach that God will materially bless those who fulfill certain conditions. The truth of the matter is that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v.6). What a great thing it is to be godly and contented! We must not be deceived by the “prosperity teaching” that has snared many gullible souls. It has been said that the purpose of preaching is to humble the sinner, exalt the Savior and promote holiness.

As a man of God, Timothy needed not only to forsake wrong doctrine, but also to flee from wrong desires. Nobody can argue with the plain fact that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (v.7). Reportedly, Alexander the Great instructed that when he died his body should be taken to its burial with his hands unwrapped so everyone could see that they were empty. Those who have a strong desire for riches can be snared and ultimately destroyed. The love of money is a root from which all kinds of evil can develop, bringing “many sorrows” (vv.9-10). We must “flee” from other things too (2 Tim. 2:22), as Joseph did when he wisely fled from Potiphar’s wife and her advances (Gen. 39:12). It is vital that we flee from the things that will hinder our spiritual progress. When temptation presents itself, run from it!

However, the man of God must not always be running away. There is a right course to pursue.

Follow
“But thou, O man of God ... follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Tim. 6:11). Being “righteous” means “being right or just.” We could never make ourselves righteous before a holy God. Only Christ can do that for us. This verse, however, speaks of our conduct before men. The Lord is righteous and appreciates righteousness (Ps. 11:7), and He wants His people to be so in this world. Are we trustworthy and reliable? Can godliness be seen in our lives? Our Father wants us to display His character, being holy as He is holy. Such things do not come easily, but we must “follow after” these qualities, asking the Lord Jesus daily to fill us with His Spirit and to lead us “in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3).

The other four characteristics are all part of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. “Faith,” or faithfulness, means simply taking God at His word and trusting Him. Without faith we cannot please God (Heb. 11:6), so it is important to exercise trust in Him daily. “Love” was one of the clearest features in the life of the Lord Jesus. He commanded His followers to love one another (Jn. 13:34). Love is not simply an emotional feeling. In Bible terms it involves obeying God’s commandments (14:15) and helping those who are in need (Gal. 6:10). “Patience” literally means “abiding under.” The word speaks of endurance under trial and accepting whatever God allows without complaint. “Meekness” is not weakness. The Lord Jesus was “meek and lowly in heart” (Mt. 11:29) without being weak. Rather, think of the strength that He displayed as He fulfilled His purpose and willingly went to the cross to die. Meekness means that I will not demand my rights and push myself ahead of others.

There is a wonderful balance about this teaching. The man of God must not only flee from things that are wrong; he must also follow the things that are right. This calls for daily determination to please the Lord. We must look to Him for help, for there are bound to be distractions and enemies.

Fight
“But thou, O man of God ... fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:11-12). Never imagine that the Christian life is an easy-going pastime, and do not be like fish drifting with the current and tide. We are engaged in a contest! We must swim against the prevailing godlessness that surrounds us. The word “fight” speaks not so much of hand-to-hand combat as of striving like an athlete who is intent on winning the race. The Greek word used here gives us our English word “agonize.” The conditions are demanding. We must strive to overcome every spiritual enemy. Like the “runner” of Hebrews 12:1-2, we must lay aside every weight and move forward in the energy of the Spirit of God, looking unto Jesus.

Not only did Timothy need to take heed of the dangers that faced him, he also had to take hold of eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12). Although possessing it already, Paul challenged Timothy to hold that life in such a way that it would motivate him. He was to be gripped by the wonder of it and live his life on earth in the light of eternity. Like the Lord Jesus who was faithful before Pontius Pilate, Timothy was told to “keep this commandment” and continue to live out his “good confession” (vv.12-14). Like every true man of God, he was to have in his vision the return of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven (v.14).

Three Things
Three things had been presented to Timothy the man of God by his spiritual mentor. He was to:

1. Flee from false teaching and wrong desires;
2. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness; and
3. Fight the good fight of the faith – taking heed to the warnings he had been given and taking hold of eternal life.

The demands may be great, but we have not been left without help. The Bible, in our possession, fully equips “the man of God” to undertake every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In fact, none of us can be real men and women of God without valuing His Word and spending time learning from it. The woman of Shunem perceived that Elisha was “a holy man of God” (2 Ki. 4:9). May the Lord give us the desire to be holy men and women of God so others will recognize that there is something different about us, which will give Him honor and glory.

By Martin Girard