WHO IS A GLORIOUS MAN?
WHO IS A GLORIOUS MAN?
Pastor J.K. Akinola
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Glory is that manifest and tangible weight of God’s presence which rests on an individual or on a material to bring transformation to lives, homes, communities, cities and nations. A man who learns to acquire or dwell in God’s presence will certainly carry His glory. The glory of God’s presence is what makes all the difference in a man’s life. Throughout the Scriptures, we have examples of men of God who had made such impacts in their worlds, and they are listed in what is called God’s Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11. The list of these people, called God’s Generals is still growing in our contemporary world today, and you can also join them as you aspire to be a glorious man from this point onwards. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform it.
2.0 DEFINITION OF THE GLORIOUS MAN
A Glorious Man is that person, who carries a tangible and manifest presence and glory of God that brings a multi-dimensional, positive and sustainable transformational impact into the world of God’s creation, and thereafter returning the glory back to God. The imperative of the multi-dimensional impact of the Glorious Man in the society is what makes him to straddle over the seven hills of civilization. God’s presence manifests in different occasions and dimensions in the life of a glorious man, and the intensity of this presence is perceivable in his life with signs and wonders. It is the honour of a mortal man to be crowned with God’s glory. (Psalm 8: 1-9). The Lord will make you become carriers of His glory through this Conference in Jesus Name.
3.0 THE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS IN THE LIFE OF A GLORIOUS MAN
3.1 He Is Spiritually Reborn (Born Again)
The first noticeable presence of the glory of God in a man’s life is the intimate relationship such a person has with God. (John 1:12-14). This is the first work of grace a man encounters in life when he is born again, or accepts Jesus Christ into his life. He is raised far above principalities and powers and made to sit with Christ in heavenly places. (Psalm 110:1, Col 2:6-7). A man who carries God’s glory at this level has got the right foundation for other glorious infrastructures that are still coming ahead. Some of the glorious infrastructures that will show up in the life of a glorious man after this foundation are, holy and victorious Christian living, hearing the Voice of God, a strong prayer, praise-worship life, and the anointing. He becomes a man of the Spirit whose ways are full of divine mysteries that the ordinary (unspiritual) man cannot understand.
3.2 He Leads a Happy Family
When God created man, He made him, together with his spouse to have dominion over the works of His hands. Fulfilling this mandate of creation (Gen 1:28) effectively confirms this glory in a man. However, to make this possible, man must have demonstrated his leadership skills at the home front, thus fulfilling the dominion mandate above right from the family primary level. The man exercises headship over his own wife and children with love. (1 Peter 3:7). When the man exercises godly headship, he draws from God “the grace of life” in loving, leading, protecting and providing for his wife and family. Surely, this is truly being a glorious man.
3.3 A Role Model in Excellence and Mentoring Of the Next Generation
The Bible says in Prov. 13:22, that, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children”. Success without successor is failure in disguise. Hence, the glorious man has a good succession process and mentors the next generation after him to step on the ladder of success. A glorious man does not joke with education, knowledge, excellence and intelligence in his life and that of his successors. It was said about Daniel, the man who was ten times better than his competitors (Daniel 1:20), and that, in him was found the spirit of excellence. (Daniel 6:3). Excellence finds no place in mediocrity and mediocrity finds no place in excellence. Our Lord Jesus, at the age of twelve was found discussing with and educating teachers and Doctors of Law, and all who heard Him were astonished. (Luke 46-47). What a glorious Man He is! The glorious man steps up in excellence and teaches the next generation after him to follow suit. The glorious man is a legacy builder for the coming generations, and he patiently mentors them to hand over the baton to them successfully.
3.4 A Man Passionate With Corporate Social Responsibility
Our Lord Jesus Christ again trumps all others in glory when it comes to this fact. The Bible says of Him that He “… went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil…” (Acts. 10:38). This is Social action, Jesus Style. A glorious man, as we earlier defined, carries on sustainable transformation along his trail. Everywhere he goes he influences the society positively. His life migrates from the level of mere success to significance, which is otherwise called, good success. Like Jesus did, he becomes a moral conscience of the society, as he also speaks out uncompromisingly against the evils of the society. He doesn’t just stop there, but he also preaches the gospel that transforms the society.
3.5 A Man of Understanding, Wisdom And Knowledge
This is a higher degree of education, as it resolves intricate matters that goes beyond physical eyes. It takes a special anointing to navigate into the unseen world, and that is what science and technology is all about. Again, Daniel and his colleagues are our reference point here, because it was said of them that “…God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom…” (Dan. 1:17). This is a demonstration of higher knowledge, and it comes from the knowledge of God. It is part of the heritage of a glorious man. Also in a rare display of anointing skills and exploits, Moses’ Rod divided the Red Sea, an engineering feat yet unequalled till today, while Joshua’s priests’ feet parted River Jordan at its peak flow, another technological feat without scientific explanations till today. No wonder, over half of the inventions in science and technology the world has ever known today was discovered by Christians. Surely, those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits. (Dan. 11:32). This is part of the call and demonstration of a glorious man.
3.6 A Man of Prosperity and Substance
There is an adage in Yoruba that a prince is recognized through the kingly dignity and honour found on him. In a similar way, a man that carries the glory of God must also carry His power and prosperity, for the earth is the Lord’s and its fullness thereof. (Psalm 24:1). It was said concerning Abraham, that he was “…very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold” (Gen. 13:2), because the Lord had blessed him. (Gen.12:1-3). He was therefore a carrier of God’s glory. The same thing was also said about Job in Job 1:3 and he was reported to be the greatest of all the people of the East. What distinguished him was his business fleet, which received God’s blessing. (Job 1:10). The prosperity wisdom of Joseph in Egypt and that of Isaac in the land of Gerar can also not be forgotten. There were also diverse people too numerous to mention in the New Testament who were wealthy, and they used their wealth to promote the gospel, and sponsoring Paul’s Missionary journeys. May you also carry the weight of God’s glory from this time forwards and become a frontline financial sponsor of His work in Jesus Name.
3.7 A Man Of Praise, Joy And Laughter
No man could truly be said to be carrying God’s glory if he is melancholic. The Scriptures enjoins us in many places to make joyful noise unto the Lord, praise Him, bless Him and clap our hands in ceaseless triumph. Even the Lord Jesus rejoiced in the spirit in Luke 1:21. It was the intensity of God’s glory upon Him that led Him to this rejoicing. As glorious men, we must set the pace in blessing the Lord. David is a classic example to us, as he danced to God with all His might, and God blessed him back with an everlasting dynasty. The glory of our salvation should make us sing the song of the redeemed with all sense of adoration (Rev. 5:9-10). The Psalmist said in Psalm 149:5 that, “Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds”. He concluded it all in Psalm 150:6 that “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord”. This is the height of sports and entertainment! Glorious men take the lead when it comes to praising the Lord, and making everything that has breath to do so! Even Paul and Silas used the chains on their hands and feet as tambourines to praise God in times of affliction. The result was Heaven’s intervention. When we get to Heaven, this will be our only assignment and vocation – all praise and joy for victory at last. May the Lord count us worthy to be in that number in Jesus Name.
4.0 PROCESSING INSTRUMENTS FOR THE MAKING OF A GLORIOUS MAN
Certainly, when we consider all the above elements found in a glorious man, we know that it is not readily feasible in a mortal man. It takes some divine processing to reach this level of becoming a glorious man. In this section, we shall be considering some processing instruments, which are however not considered exhaustive. Notable Biblical case studies will be considered, and as you consider them, the Lord will be preparing you too for similar contemporary testimonies.
4.1 Learning to Have An Obedient Relationship And Walk With God
Abraham is one such example of a glorious man who knew God personally and obediently walked with Him. Consider the testimony of God concerning him in Gen. 18:16-18. His spiritual sensitivity was due to his close walk with God, like a man relating to his best friend. God called Abraham, “My Friend” in Isaiah 41:8. He gained the favor of God to the extent of asking God for a change in His plan. What a glorious man!
4.2 A Burning Bush Encounter With God
Moses was another case study in this regard. At the peak of his glorious career and ministry the Bible said, “And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses face shone….” (Exod. 34:35). This did not just happen by chance. Moses has gone through various experiences with God, among which was the burning bush encounter.
Concerning Moses, the Bible had this to say: “But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face”. (Deut. 34:10). The beginning of Moses encounter with God was however at the burning Bush in Horeb. (Exod. 3:2). It was an unforgettable encounter that challenged his mindset, and turned his entire world 360 degrees around. Surely, as the saying goes, “The arrow that will reach Heaven must come from bows that are fully bent”. Moses life was fully bent at the Burning Bush experience, and this went a long way to define His relationship with God and with man. He was not a people’s-man, but he was a God-man. He took on an assignment that was not popular, and not desirable. But having had an encounter with God, he could no longer argue. His level translated to the celestial.
Moses first encounter of God at the burning Bush showed him that God’s ways are not our ways. He submitted all his intellectual prowess and training in Egypt to that burning Bush experience. This burning Bush experience rubbished all the Egyptian training and wisdom he had. Now, I prophesy to your life today that, like Moses, you will have a fresh encounter with God that will give your life a Supernatural Turn Around in Jesus Name. Right from this time forward, I declare for your life, that you will no longer be walking by common sense and natural wisdom. Divine wisdom from on high is hereby imparted to you in Jesus Name. Don’t forget that God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, so what they termed foolish is God’s joker to confuse their wisdom. Eventually, we can see that the yardstick and parameter of success is defined differently between the world and in the eyes of God.
4.3 Learning To Hear From God and Being in His Presence
This is another great processing point for the glorious man. How can one share in the glory of God if he doesn’t learn how to hear from Him? Moses our case study; learnt this right from after the time he went through the burning Bush experience. Right from the Burning Bush experience, Moses began to experience regular hearing from God. What are those things in our lives that should help our hearing from God? Now, we must understand something about the Fire that Moses encountered at the Burning Bush. It wasn’t an ordinary fire. That Fire is the Holy Spirit, who now dwells within us children of God! He went with them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide them. Fire is one of the prominent symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. Moses had an encounter with this ‘Fire’, and could not leave Him again! No wonder he said in Exod. 33:15, ‘If your presence doesn’t go with me, carry me not hence’. Moses would no longer take any step without consulting this Fire, and whatever the Fire said was final! Moses became a glorious phenomenon from this time on-wards.
4.4 Acquaintance with the Word of Faith from God
The Bible says that “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”. Rom 10:17. It takes real closeness to somebody for you to know his words and when he speaks. The RHEMA is that word of faith from the Holy Spirit to your heart (your spirit man), which tells you something other people don’t see! So, you see what they can’t see, (FAITH), while what they see is FEAR (false expression appearing real), which you don’t see! By the instrumentality of the written Word (LOGOS), Moses became the man of faith God needed for the hour, and the Holy Spirit in him turned the LOGOS to RHEMA at critical junctions of operations where it is needed. He navigated successfully.
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of the things which are visible” (Heb. 11:3). However, the visible things (physical), were made by the invisible word of God (spiritual). Whaoh! Now, which one do you now think is superior? Physical or Spiritual? Certainly, the Spiritual! This is the power of the spoken (or RHEMA) word.
Rhema Words, Impacting Words, Powerful Words, Ancient Words, ever true, changing me and you, and settled in Heaven will henceforth be the direction of your life in Jesus Name. While others will be running helter skelter out of fear, the governing word of God for your situation will blow like an answer in the winds to bring you solution in Jesus Name. Rhema Words bring faith that passes understanding. It defies science and technology! Business and commerce falls at the feet of Rhema. Political wisdom capitulates when Rhema takes the centre stage of our lives. This is your defining hour of glory.
4.5 Your Qualification or That Rod of Moses in Your Hands
It must be noted that God has graciously gifted each and every one of us with certain credentials, some of which we underrate or overlook. Even when Gideon belittled his situation, the Lord told him, “Go in this thy might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hands of the Midianites…” (Judges 6:14). What is that thing you possess, but you underrate? It is your instrument of glorification given you by God. You must discover it today for your glorification.
The Rod was a divine instrument given to Moses by God for his work of ministry. Originally it was just an ordinary staff of Moses, used to tend the flock of Jethro his father-in-law. We can also call it today to mean our credentials, qualifications with which we do our daily vocation to earn a living. God transformed this staff into a Rod, that carry His own signature. How? Let us look at Exod. 4:2-4. At this point, God had transformed his ordinary herdsmen staff to a spiritual Rod for signs and wonders. It was a total transformation, because after the staff turned into a snake, and God told him to take it back, he was instructed to take it by the tail. This became the new ‘head’ of the staff, turned upside down, and hence, it was no longer the same staff of Moses, but it became the Rod of God (or the Rod of Moses). Do you also realize that what you are doing or holding now is a potential instrument for God if you allow Him to transform it? It will lead to monumental breakthroughs which even your secular education cannot achieve. The question is, “What is that in thine hand?” Exod. 4:2. You must get to this junction in your life before God can take over from you, and you watch Him do incredible things in your life to His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.
5.0 THE MANDATE OF THE GLORIOUS MAN
The Glorious man has been called to lay the foundations of glory for generations to come. He does not just pass through all the above processes for fun. He was prepared to spread the glory of the Lord over the earth. This is our primary calling as Christians. (1 Peter 2:9). The early apostolic fathers were carriers of this glory, and they turned their world upside down (or rather, right side up). Through the inclusive Christianity mandate of the Great Commission, the Church became the largest business concern all over the globe, assimilating even the greatest antagonists and persecutors. We are right here at the brink of history and the close of age to re-enact the same feat with a greater glory and impact. (Haggai 2:9).
The first assignment to be carried out by the Rod of Moses was to confront the worldly rods or staffs. We can call these rods the worldly standards and value systems, which are many and varied. However, God’s Standard is only one – Holiness! (2 Tim 2:19). At God’s instruction, Moses was to cast down his Rod first, and it became a serpent. The essence of this is to lay the foundation and standard for others. That is our calling as Christians. We are to set the standards and value systems for the society to follow. Not surprisingly, the Egyptians too have their own several standards through their “wise men and sorcerers”, which they also cast down. To God’s glory, the single Rod of Moses swallowed up all the rods of the Egyptian sorcerers! The implication of this for us is that we should boldly confront the society’s value systems with the Word of God, which has been delivered to us. These worldly values and standards will surely capitulate before God’s Word!
God’s Standard or wisdom is far above the world’s own. The Bible says that God’s wisdom had made foolish the wisdom of this world (1 Cor. 1:20). The Bible states further that none of the princes (wise men) of this world know this wisdom of God, because if they knew, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. (1 Cor. 2:8). If God therefore allows them to harden their hearts, it is because He wants to show more of His glory to show through us. Also, in a rare display of divine intelligence versus worldly wisdom, Daniel demonstrated that with God’s wisdom, which sounds foolish to the world, he would be ten times better than his contemporary Babylonian magicians and astrologers (Dan. 1:20). The Bible says that “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness, therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows”. (Psalm 45:7). This was what happened to Daniel as the spirit of excellence rested upon him. (Dan. 6:3). He held high the Standard of God (God’s Rod) boldly in an idolatrous land. This drew persecution, and God used it for further His signs and wonders. The heathen nation eventually bowed to God, and promoted Daniel. (Dan 6: 25-28). This is the glory God has called us to share with Him.
CONCLUSION
Carrying the glory of God to become a glorious man requires a contest both to acquire as well as to retain that glory. This is because the powers of darkness feel threatened at the slightest appearance of the glorious man, who is a representative of the Kingdom of Light, and we know that light and darkness do not co-exist.
The renewal of the mind is a fierce spiritual battle. Spiritual warfare in the mind is as violent as fighting against territorial spirits. It is not always easy to inculcate the mind of Christ. You will encounter stubborn mountains and fortresses in your mind, which are not easily removed. “For the flesh lusts against the flesh; and these contrary to one another, so that you do not the things you wish”. (Gal.5:17). You will also find your flesh (sarx) the old nature of man fighting against your wish of inculcating the mind of Christ. The flesh is the fallen nature inherited from Adam. It is by nature antagonistic to your spirit. It prevents you from doing the will of God. it makes you feel lazy and lethargic to do what you had intended to do. This is why the Scripture commands us to punish all disobedience. This is with reference to the continuous antagonistic disposition of the flesh to our desire to obey God.
As you overcome and crucify the flesh, and begin to yield yourself to the Spirit, the glory begins to manifest in every sphere of your life. Everything along your path will begin to experience a glorious transformation, restoration, healing and deliverance. This is your calling and portion as a glorious man.
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the seas”. (Hab. 2:14).
