I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for…   my wife

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

It is one of the most quoted scriptures at weddings. It speaks of the purest form of love, a love that demonstrates itself in its selflessness.

In a Christian context, the Resolution uses some interesting words … take full responsibility for my wife. To many, they might attribute this to a bygone era when women were treated as second class citizens, almost property, totally under the dominion and control of the man. Instead, the Christian directives to the husband is a demanding one. Consider some of the following:

He who finds a wife finds what is good. (Proverbs 18:22)

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. (Proverbs 29:11)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of His body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:25-33)

Courageous the Movie has left a lasting impression on the men in our church who have seen it. A key part of the movie was the concept of “The Resolution”. This is the first of the articles that will explore each part of The Resolution and what it means for men.

The Resolution – Part 1
I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself:

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV

Taking responsibility for yourself and taking accountability for your actions is often an undervalued personal virtue in the modern world. The scripture talks about us putting the childhood away. Part of a childlike approach to life is to deny guilt and to blame others. A Resolution Man will be both honest with themselves and others as well as being prepared to put right the things that have done wrong. The other part of being a man and not a child is about becoming responsible for themselves in terms of employment, self care and self growth.

The final part of this passage is about our thinking. Childlike thinking is often selfish, short term and often takes little consideration for the consequences of their actions. Resolution Men are thoughtful, considerate and measured as they embark on the journey of life. That does not mean they are not willing to be innovators, explorers and capable of feats of daring. It simply means that men will act and think in a new level of maturity and responsibility.

Good luck men with Part 1 of the Resolution. Let me know how you are travelling or have any ideas or thoughts that we can talk about as we all seek to grow as men of God.

Neil Stott

It is now two weeks since the TripleM Camp at Lake Nillahcootie. The camp overall was great, but more importantly, the Courageous Movie has left us with a significant legacy for us to pursue in the remainder of 2012. All too often we go to a camp or a conference, get excited for a day and then go back to our normal life. Well, we have committed to not do that, instead, we have laid out a plan. Part of that plan will be to get more men to see the movie, but also more men to take up the challenge of the Resolution.

The Resolution

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take
full responsibility for myself, my wife and my children.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honour her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, off of their minds, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honour authority and live responsibly.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honour God, be faithful to His church, obey his Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

What do you think of this challenge? How do you think we should respond to this? How will you respond to this challenge?

We will begin to unbolt each part of The Resolution in the coming weeks.

The Gay Marriage debate raises serious questions in regard to the profound effect this change might have on our modern society. Like all changes in the modern era, there is no historical precedent and as such can only be classed as social engineering without due regard to any unintended consequences. I personally believe that in a pluralistic society that some legal recognition of a gay union should be allowed, but not at the expense of the long and ancient tradition of marriage.

Therefore, here are some relevant arguments on this issue to consider..

• Marriage is a unique relationship between one man and one woman.
• Marriage is the foundation of family, which in turn is the foundation of society.
• If marriage can be redefined to include two people of the same gender, why not three or more people?
• Marriage is deeply valued by a large proportion of the population for cultural and religious reasons and this should be respected.
• Redefining marriage has potential serious consequences for religious freedom and freedom of conscience.
• Same-sex marriage sets up a new family model that trashes the truth that gender is vital to a child in family formation.
• Research shows that a child with married, biological mother and father do best.
• Children should be given the chance to start life with both their biological parents.