Living A Dignified Life

Living a Dignified Life means to be serious and graceful in a manner of style that deserves respect. It is also having or showing a composed character that is worthy of respect.

An example of a dignified man is one who acts politely and minds his manners in a difficult situation.

Gbenga Adigun – Pastor, CGM Chicago Metro Area

A dignified man therefore must have the following qualities:

1. Diligence: This means working hard and carefully, been industrious and devoted to one’s work and life. A diligent man must be actively engaged in a productive activity, not sown to idleness or leisure. “Do you see a man who excels in his work, he will stand before kings, he will not stand before unknown men.” – Proverbs 22:29.
   Diligence will make you dependable and durable. Your dependability will make God and man to depend on you and trust you. Your durability will make you stand the test of time which in turn makes you a dignified person.
2. Increase: This means to become or make greater in size, amount, intensity etc. To progressively become greater, you must increase in knowledge and knowledge is part information and skills acquired by a person through experience or education. To be dignified therefore, one must increase in the knowledge of God. “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.” – Proverbs 1: 5. The instruction to increase in knowledge is a tool that makes the wise wiser and he will continue to increase in learning. When we stop learning, we stop living. Our quest to increase in knowledge should be all encompassing.
3. Genuine: This is truly what something is set to be, that is, authentic. A genuine person is true to himself in the way that he thinks, feels, and wants to be portrayed. In the pursuit of dignity, being genuine is important and it must be reflective, especially to your partner, either marital or business. Genuineness means to be pure inwardly and outwardly which reflects in your relationships. A person’s portrayal in understanding, patience, kindness, and love must be true.
4. Noble: This is having or showing fine personal quality or high moral principle and ideas. Being unselfish and morally good is an important factor that builds a dignified person. The ideas and qualities of a dignified man must be of high standard. “But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” – Isaiah 32:8. Your sustainability and longevity in all that you do is made possible by noble plans which births noble causes.
5. Irreplaceable: This means when it’s impossible to replace a thing if lost or damaged. It is unusual, special and very valuable. A life that is irreplaceable is a major factor in the quest for dignity. Jesus our example is irreplaceable. A man of dignity must hold a pact or must have a part to play in the circle of life that cannot be substituted. The quality of man that makes him irreplaceable must be centered around Christ, good values, good judgement, empathy, and true love.
6. Faith: it is impossible for a man to be dignified if they do not have faith in Christ. A faith-filled man will be ruled by the righteousness revealed by God. “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:17. Living dignified is pleasing God. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6
7. Yoke Bearer: Every dignified man must be a yoke bearer. A yoke is a burden that we must take on successfully – it is likened to the challenges of life but we must not let it overcome us. – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” –Matthew 11: 28 – 30. To live a dignified life, you must be able to take up your yoke, which is responsibilities and duties that is associated with following Christ and doing the necessary things that makes one a dignified being. A successful execution of your duties and responsibilities is a sign of a successful yoke bearer. Obedience to God’s commandments and the fear of Him makes our yokes easy and our burdens light.