The word “father” is worthy of note in the Bible because of its frequent usage. According to Young’s Analytical Concordance, the word is used 1,041 times in the Bible. The definition for father is “a male parent,” “a person who is like a father,” a “forefather,” “a person who helped to make something” and most importantly, “the God of Heaven.”
From all of these definitions, we realize that a “father” is important in so many ways. Fathers are important to the health, safety and well-being of their offspring. Most of us think of fathers as strong and capable of performing any job. Some consider their father as a “playmate,” enjoying the wrestling and tumbling they do with him and the good times they share together, and he usually likes athletics! Some are impressed by the wisdom of a father and often seek his advice when making decisions. In any case, most earthly fathers are depended upon, respected and looked up to by their offspring. Truly, there are some bad fathers who do not in any way fit these expectations, but thankfully, they are an exception. Most fathers love and cherish their offspring and expend their effort in (1) loving, (2) caring for and (3) training their children.
(1) Love That’s exactly what God does for His children. The apostle Paul made the statement that “In Him [God] we live and move and have our being… for we are His offspring.” The love of God for His children is the greatest love ever to be exhibited. The apostle John gave quite a bit of space to speak of God’s love. We read in 1 John 4:7ff, “Let us love one another for love is of God and every one who loves is born of God and knows God. He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God for God is love. God’s love was manifested toward us because He sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Then there’s that Scripture that most of us have been able to quote since we were little children: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
(2) Caring for Not only does God love His children, He takes care of them and provides for them. We are instructed in 1 Peter 5:7 to “cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you.” Paul told the Philippians that “the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We can trust God to “supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). It’s true that we may not always have all the earthly riches and blessings that we want, but we can trust God to supply enough creature comforts to get by on, and He will give us peace to see us through hard times.
(3) Training God has promised training that will last a life time: “Train up a child in the way he should go and, when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). This training requires one to study, know and live according to God’s instructions to be a Christian. God, “according to His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain to life and Godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). His Word is how He trains and teaches His children to know what He expects and how they must obey Him. We live in troublesome times; sin is rampant upon the earth. There are more and more people to commit more and more evil. The only way to overcome these bad times is to go to God and let Him be one’s Guide to doing what is good and right. Our world needs good Christian fathers who will train up their children in the Lord’s way, and they, in turn, will teach their children.
