Joe Debenedictis

“Describing the Church’s calling, Paul writes, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). We are called together in the fellowship of Christ. Christ is what we share together. This means the stickiness of our calling doesn’t depend upon our proficiency but his glory and grace. Christ is what holds us together, through thick and thin. We live together because we are conceived together, in Christ. As a result, every Christian upon conversion is called into God’s community. There are no exceptions. No one is left out. Everyone has a place in the people of God.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Called Together: A Guide to Forming Missional Communities

“This certainly wasn’t an isolated incident, but it is indicative of Jesus’ ferocious ambition to walk with His Father by trusting in Him to overcome temptation. For Jesus, just as it is for us, prayer and vigorous fighting are the means to overcome temptation. Jesus’ manhood in this particular instance is awe inspiring; He fought against the greatest temptation imaginable, in regard to His most challenging responsibility, and yet didn’t drop the ball:”
― Eric Mason, Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole

“Jesus is the prototype man for men. All of us men are only as manly as it relates to the standard set by Jesus. Romans 8:29 helps us to understand this point: “For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.” God’s design—His divine intent—is for those who are in Jesus to look like Jesus.”
― Eric Mason, Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole

“To be a Christian means that God has become our point of reference and framework. “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). As Christians we need to become more and more self-consciously aware of this truth. One way to do this is to follow the apostle Paul’s instruction (2 Cor. 10:5) to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ or to “think God’s thoughts after him.” To be a Christian, not in name only, but as one who practices his or her beliefs (which is the essence of a disciple), is to think from a Christian perspective about life and reality. In becoming Christian our life becomes oriented to God who tells us to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2)6”
― Eric Mason, Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole