Glorifying God Through Fatherhood
“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.”—Billy Graham
Christian fathers are to love their wives, discipline and teach their children, and provide for their families. The family unit is very important to God and He is not pleased with ANY father who doesn’t take care of his family. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) says If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Some men boast about how they take care of their family. God and nobody else should ever be impressed with this because that is what you’re SUPPOSED to do. You shouldn’t expect a medal for doing the minimal thing expected of you!
The father and mother within the God-designed family are equal in position, but each has a different God-given role. God made the father the spiritual leader/head of household. Fathers and mothers are to mutually respect and submit to one another. Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) says Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Within the Trinity, there is a direct line of authority and God the Son submits to God the Father. This does not mean God is superior to Christ. They have equal position, but different roles. In the family, the father is not superior to the mother. At the same time, God has established a line of authority to maintain peace and order. 1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) says But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. God realizes without submission to authority, there is no order. This does NOT mean the father should be all controlling or dictatorial. 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) says In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.
Christian fathers should love, lead, serve, provide for and protect their families. The most important thing God expects you to do for your wife (His daughter) is to love her. Ephesians 5:25,28 (NKJV) says Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Your responsibility is to love your wife unconditionally. It’s not easy for most women to submit, but your LOVING spiritual leadership will make it less difficult for your wife to submit to your authority. Also, your children will learn from your example and respect you as well.
Christian fathers are to discipline and teach their children according to the Word of God. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NKJV) says You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You are not to use your God-given authority to be harsh, unloving, or unreasonable towards your children. Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV) says And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Your children observe you more than you think and they will emulate a lot of what they see as they get older. For this reason, you must make sure you are setting the right example. The best way to do this is to follow the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) says All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Your primary responsibility is the spiritual development of your children. Through instruction you will guide their way of thinking, through discipline you will guide their behavior. Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) says He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. It’s not easy disciplining your children, but it is very necessary. You discipline your children because you love them and you want to teach them right from wrong. Furthermore, when you discipline your children, just as God disciplines us, you protect them from continually doing foolish and unwise things that will cause them harm. Proverbs 22:6 (NLT) says Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it. As your children get older, they will learn and recognize their sinful nature. They will see their need not only for a Savior, but the love, wisdom, instruction and guidance of God, their Heavenly Father. They will see the need to have God in their life.
The ultimate goal of all Christian fathers is that your children will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and form a personal relationship with Him. Prayerfully, your children will follow His teachings and serve their purpose which is to live for Him and glorify Him in everything they do. When this happens, God will look at you as a father and say “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Go Live The Victory!
