GOD
OUR FATHER AND FATHERHOOD
When we desire to understand the idea of
fatherhood, the proper reference point is God our Father. One place of
particular interest for such an investigation is within the instruction Jesus
gave the disciples concerning prayer. His great example of prayer, within the
context of ones most personal expression of religion, is especially instructive
to us. By looking closely at the text of Matthew 6:9-15 we will find much to
guide us to a better understanding of human fatherhood.
RESPECT AND OBEDIENCE
1. God,
of course, deserves a unique respect that transcends that due any earthly father
(Ex. 20:1-6; Eph. 3:20-21).
2. He
is also much more worthy of being
obeyed in all things than are our fathers (Deut. 4:5-8).
3. However,
the position of earthly fatherhood also has its own special place for obedience
and respect (Eph. 6:1-2; Heb. 12:9).
4. The
Bible attributes much more seriousness to the idea of parental respect than
does our culture (Deut. 22:18-21).
5. Respectful
obedience would also most certainly be expected to include an expression of
love (Rom. 1:31).
6. Because
of the Father’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:10-11) the church as the current
expression of God’s kingdom is to be give a preeminence in every home by every
father (Eph. 1:22-23).
7. We
would do well to again note that God our Father well deserves both reverence
and obedience.
8. Therefore,
any earthly father who can only draw on his “office” to require respect and
compliance, meets but the barest and most hollow possible claim on fatherhood.
PROVISION AND PROTECTION
1. God
is a most excellent provider (Matt. 6:25-34).
2. Any
capable man who does not provide for his own family is worse than an infidel (I
Tim. 5:8).
3. From
the beginning, God has placed on a man a special responsibility as a provider
(Gen. 3:17-19).
4. A
basic responsible stewardship goes, therefore, with all fatherly territory (I
Cor. 4:2; I Thess. 4:11-12; Eph. 4:28).
5. Developing
an environment in the home that gives protection against the world’s
temptations is also part of the responsibility of a father (Deut. 6:4-9; Eph.
6:4).
6. Part
of this stewardship of a father concerns itself with discipline (Heb. 12:5-11);
and a quality of discipline that is constructive in nature (Heb. 12:12-13).
FORGIVENESS
1. Our
Heavenly Father is a God of forgiveness (Neh. 9:17; Ps. 130:1-4).
2. Earthly
fathers must also make a place for new beginnings and restoration that are
patterned after our merciful Father in Heaven (Eph. 4:32).
3. There
must be much forgiveness in a life seeking identity with God (Matt. 18:21-35).
4. And
where there are prodigals, longing eyes and open arms must be found (Lk.
15:11-32).
THE SON IS THE ONE WHO BEST ACQUAINTS US WITH THE FATHER
1. Jesus
is the One who shows us God the Father as no one else can (Jn. 1:1, 14, 18).
2. To
see the Christ is to see the Father (Jn. 14:8-9).
3. To
become like Jesus is to most fully be a son of the Father (Rom. 8:29).
4. To
be a Christlike father is, therefore, the way to most effectively bring God
into our home.
PASS IT OWN
1. Fatherhood
is not designed by God to be an end in itself.
2. God
wants men who can influence generations to come (Gen. 18:19).
3. Young
men need to grow up with an integrity they have both learned and observed from
godly fathers.
4. It
takes but one untaught generation for the values of God to be lost (Jud.
2:7-11).
Indeed, we learn much about the essential
elements of fatherhood from the model prayer given by Jesus. The God we address
in those thoughts is to be the very model we should look to for all successful
expressions of fatherhood. And Jesus is the way to best see our Father.
Edwin
4/29/01
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