~ The Christ-Like Father ~
Note ~ I am aware
that many individuals endured very faulty fathers (or even no father in their
home). Without a good father present in the formative years an individual
starts life with a major disadvantage. Also, a poor father makes it much more
difficult for a child to learn to love and respect a heavenly Father.
The
Reality
~ In many “civilized societies” in the world today the importance of good
parenting – and especially the proper role of a father – is being minimized and
sometimes even mocked and ridiculed today. This trend is a deliberate strategy
of Satan himself.
The
Goal Of A Christian Father ~ Simply stated: to demonstrate Christ-like characteristics to
his children and others.
Clearly
this is God’s plan. His desire is for all fathers to reflect His character –
like an earthly mirror of our heavenly Father. Consider just one simple example
of what this means from Matthew’s Gospel:
“What
man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a
stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will
hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and
advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in
heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep
on asking Him!” (Matthew 7:9–11 amp).
Comment
~ Jesus expects Christian fathers to carefully ensure healthy physical and
spiritual growth of those who have been gifted to him. This is not a choice or
something to be done only when it is convenient. Earthly fathers by their
actions, demeanor, and love are to be a path towards their children learning to
love their heavenly Father. Remember, that Jesus gave His very life for His
own.
Scripture
~ Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to
sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and
he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses!
For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew
18:6-7, see also Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:1-2).
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW blog.
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