What makes a good man?

Question

Now, I don't consider myself an extremely religious person. Spiritual or philisophical, maybe. I am always open to seeing the world from someone else's point of view, though I may nt always understand it. I suppose I would call myself a Christian, more in homage to a man who died trying to make the world a better place, than anything else. I believe that God, by whatever name he goes by, works in much more subtle ways than awe-inspiring "miracles".

Well, I'm pretty young, 19 years old this month, when I got to thinking "What kind of man do I want to be?". On one hand, I look at the woman I love, who doesn't love me. I think to myself "If only I was a stronger man, if only I wasn't so harsh on people for making bad choices, maybe she would love me.". But then again, I wonder "Is it more important to protect the ones you love from harm at any cost, even if they don't like it? Or is it better to let them learn from their own mistakes, even if their life(or lives) could be at risk?"

What I've come here to ask, is from different points of view, what makes a good man? Is it better to just live in the here-and-now, and do what comes natural? Or, as I've always believed, is it better to strive to be something greater, even if you end up hurting yourself somewhere along the way?

In response to some of the below comments, when I look into the mirror, I see a man whos morals makes his life more difficult, and who has nobody because of it.

At times, I think how much better my life would be if I didn't try to be this "good person" I try to be. I don't drink, because several loved ones have almost died from alchohol-related incidents. I don't smoke because my grandfather died of cancer. I don't sleep around, I suppose because I still believe it should be meaningful(my father was unfaithful, which I dispise about him). Because of these beliefs, I've never met anyone my own age who can even relate. Women my age only want to party, drink, and have casual sex. Men my age want much the same.

I can't look in the mirror and say I like the person I see, because my beliefs seperate me from everyone I know. But I don't know that I would be any happier, even with the woman I love, if it meant living a life I don't approve of.

I'm open to all views, so please join in.

Answer 1

Read Bible first and then Koran in English or ur native laguage translation. link he common things. THen ask from your heart. You'll find your answer.

Answer 2

God make you a good man. Why because you were made in his likeness and image. The bible says without him was nothing made. Sometimes we can be to hard on people and can push those away God has assigned to us. Now that doesn't mean they won't come back but to everything there is a time and a season. I say these directly from the bible. So these words which is the word of God work for you only if you are a believer. You can't guess if your a christian you have to know and you know that by believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Once you believe in him and realize it is because of him that you move and have your being. You can begin to pray the will of God for your life and whatever you ask according to his will it shall be yours. So you ask what makes you a good man? Well it's the Lord when you allow self to move out of the way he can do what he needs to in your life. Why is this: SO NO FLESH CAN GLORY!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

You sound very mature for your age. And it is better to ask this question at 19 than when you are middle-aged.

The search for happiness is a search for God. So whatever you do, don't forget that you must endeavor to make yourself happy. However, as you pursue your quest for happiness, you may find what Richard Maybury in his book "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO JUSTICE?" recommends:
a) Do all you have agreed to do, and
b) Do not encroach on other persons or their property.

You will find that these two simple laws help you spiritually a great deal, regardless of the religious path you choose to follow. You will learn to swing your arm as far as you want provided your neighbor's nose is not in the way.

Answer 4

You are very mature for a 19 year old. Do not compromise your beliefs. Stand strong for what you believe in and always protect the ones you love and even others if you can.

If you follow Jesus Christ, follow Him; you will not go wrong. As a man thinks - so is he. Keep your thoughts on the Lord and you will not go wrong. You will not please the world, but what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul. Jesus said this. You sound like a fine young man. Don't change.

Answer 5

I'm Muslim and a woman and my view is that if you don't know who your Lord is how can you make good decisions. You are not God you can't protect people from harm but you can take precautions to prevent anything from happening to them. You are a man that needs to be guided. Dating is wack and people tend to get bitter from bad experiences or simple remain single due to dating experiences. I would not date I would get married to a virgin if I were you and if not a virgin make sure the person gets a battery of tests before I marry them. People may say you are too young to get married or you may think that, but you are old enough to date. See how backward that sounds.

Answer 6

IMHO, there is none that are good, except God Himself. People can strive to be good, but only one man has that status, Jesus Christ.

What did He say in regards to a situation like this? "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". Whom did he consider His friends? All of mankind.

You are in much the same situation God is... He looks down upon the earth, and sees all the people whom He loves greatly, knowing they don't love Him back.

Consider the garden of Eden... God allowed Adam and Eve the chance to make a wrong decision. Their immortality ceased the moment they sinned... and in that very "day" (remember, 1 day is like 1000 years to God, and both Adam and Eve died in their 900's), they died. Yet, God set in motion a plan to save mankind from their sins. His son, Jesus Christ, would lay down his life to save all of mankind.

Even though we, mankind as a whole, do terrible things against God (sin), He's made a back-up plan to catch us as we fall.

If God did not punish sinners, do you think a murderer, or a liar, or an adulterer, would love God more? Not likely. In fact, chances are, they would continue down their current path without remorse. But if God does indeed punish sinners, it will cause them to think about what they're doing, and desire to change their ways... and then God will be there to show mercy, and to get them standing on their own two feet again.

So, look to God's example. If you love this woman, you will allow her the opportunity to screw up... but be there for her when she does, then correct and teach her about what is right. In time, she will see your devotion, and it'll all be worthwhile.

Answer 7

The following parable is one of the finest example for your question. A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Answer 8

According to God there is none righteous.We are all born in sin.He made a way for all to receive his salvation.You must accept that his son Jesus died for your sin.By
asking Jesus into your heart and admitting you are a sinner.Then will you find peace and new direction into
your life.

Answer 9

I was going to give you some advice, and then I read Sho-Nuff Krueger's answer. He's right, you know. If you can look at yourself in a mirror and be satisfied that the person looking back at you has done his best, then you are a good man.

Answer 10

The Almighty YHVH set up a system. He sent His “Son” YAHOSHUA to die for the sins of mankind so they would not have to. (They could choose to, but did not have to). Any person who chooses not to allow Yahoshua to take care of their sins, chooses to remain attached to their sins. They thus will wind up in the lake of fire which is YHVH’s method of cleaning this world, and eliminating sin and sinners. The Creator set aside the Seventh day for rest and worship. Yes that is the day usually called “Saturday”. We are not saved by obedience, we are saved by faith. However we are saved FOR obedience. As He said in John 14:15 (and in many other places) “If you love me, keep my commandments.

Churchianity is a pagan religion. The only thing that will change a person is the indwelling savior Yahoshua. Obviously that is rare in this sinful world.