I just purchased Bill Perkin's book titled 6 Rules Every Man Must Break. I recently heard Bill at the Iron Sharpens Iron men's conference last weekend, and I really enjoyed his very practical way of thinking.
Bill shares six different rules Christian men need to break. I will be sharing with you some excerpts from this book in the weeks to come, so be sure to check back often.
#1 RULE TO BREAK - THE RULE OF PASSIVITY - Never Get in a Fight
In this chapter, Bill shares a junior high experience he had with a fellow student in Roswell, New Mexico. It is a really funny story (funny now...I'm sure it was not funny at the time) of how he was confronted with a surprise attack from a gang of boys in his school. But, he goes on to say that "life is a battlefield" and there are times when we must fight! Not all fights can be avoided.
Bill says that it seems as though followers of Christ are expected to be so humble, so meek, so mature, so passive, so submissive, that men sometimes try to avoid a fight at all costs. In this particular Bill suggest tow areas in which we must not avoid a fight:
1. Fight legalism
Bill suggest that we take an hour or so and read through the Gospels. As you do, note how many times Jesus hammers away at drunks, prostitutes, crooked politicians, dishonest businessmen, drug addicts, con artists, gays, and thieves. Your list will be short...very short. That's because Jesus didn't fight these people, He hung out with them. The people He challenged were the legalistic religious leaders.
Many churches today have that turned around. They condemn sinners, and their members hang out with the civilized--should I say legalistic--elements of the church. Many of these religious folk attempt to live up to the add-on rules of their church...often unsuccessfully. And many live in fear that someone will catch them breaking those rules.
2. Fight hypocrisy
A hypocrite is someone who lives a double life. He's a man who is different on the inside than he appears on the outside. Bill says that he believes Jesus liked sinners more than religious leaders because they didn't try to disguise themselves. With them, what you saw was what you got.
The next time you find yourself thinking a leader is somehow wired differently than the rest of us, remember the wisest, strongest, and Godliest men in the Old Testament...Solomon, Samson, and David...all fell!
Check back in the days (weeks) to come and I will continue to share with you some reviews of this great book. Until then, look for opportunities to fight legalism and hypocrisy!
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