Today is a special day as we honor our fathers for all that they have done for us. Fathers have so many roles to play. In most families, the father is the primary “breadwinner” in the family. Because he is masculine, he does things that most youngsters want to copy; he is strong, so he excels in sports and athletics, and what young offspring doesn’t like to play ball, go fishing, etc.? A father normally knows about mechanical, electrical and electronic things, so by his expertise, he impresses his children. Being a father is a wonderful experience. Being a good father is an even greater joy. However, being a Christian father who honors God by the way he lives and cares for his family is the greatest joy of all. In order to be the best father possible, a man only has to look to God’s Word for the guidance he needs.
After all, in that Word, we read of the most wonderful Father ever, and that is God, the Father. We have a Father who “knows what things you need, even before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). In this same chapter, we go on to read, “Don’t be anxious, saying, what shall we eat or drink or with what will we be clothed… Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.” God knows our every need, and all He asks is that we “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (v. 33). Our Father will “supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). What one has to do to receive all he needs is to be faithful to the Father. God will take care of us.
God loves us so much that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s creation (that is, man) became gross sinners, but that didn’t stop Him from loving those He created. That’s the way we humans are. No matter what children may or may not do, they are still our children—our flesh and blood. Sometimes a child may get “disowned,” but that is not normal, and it certainly is not God’s way. He had a Son that He loved more than anything, and He sent that Son to earth to die a cruel death in order that the men he created and loved could be reconciled to Him through the blood of that Son. God’s love prevailed in spite of our sin.
Sometimes, in dealing with offspring, favoritism may be shown to the one who tries hardest to do what is expected of him. This also is not God, our Father’s, way. Peter said in Acts 10:34, “God is no respecter of persons but, in every nation, he who fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him.” To gain God’s favor, all one has to do is His will. That door is open to every person.
When we do wrong, God is a merciful Father. We read in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful as your Father is also merciful.” Mercy means to show leniency or pity. He pities us because we are doomed while in a sinful state. He will forgive us if we sincerely admit our wrong and ask His forgiveness. We are told this in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” All one has to do to be accepted back into God’s grace is to honestly and to sincerely admit fault or the wrong we have committed and ask for God’s forgiveness. Remember He is not partial and shows no favoritism. Sometimes in dealing with problems within the family, it’s difficult to get the point across that the person being disciplined is still loved. It’s hard to think of being loved when one is being punished or reprimanded for wrongdoing. God punishes us for wrongdoing even though His love is forever as He said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). Paul told the Corinthian brethren, “Blessed be God… the God of all comfort; the Father of mercies, who comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He is a merciful God and will do His part in reconciling ourselves to Him. We read in 1 John 3:1, “What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God!” God’s people will be rewarded beyond measure for their faithfulness.
Fathers, we’ve looked at ways our Father Who loves us with an everlasting love provides our needs, gave His most prized possession as a sacrifice for our sins, shows no favoritism, and is merciful and forgiving. May you be more God-like in your human role as “fathers.” Happy Father’s Day!
