Happy Father’s Day to All Fathers/Father-figures!
FACT: Father’s Day holiday of 6/18 is celebrated internationally in approximately 70 countries!
Calling all Heroes!:
Fathers are often seen as our first ‘hero’s’… Today, cultures around the world urgently need ‘heroes’.
Scripture’s answer involves fatherhood...
Fatherhood may differ significantly across world cultures. But Scripture tells GOD’s view on what TRUE fatherhood represents and HOW it impacts society.
Breaking Negative Cycles:
Psalms note that even if our parents didn't model the right values for us, we can break negative cycles and model great virtues for our children. That can change the future positively!
“1 Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, 3 that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the coming generation would know them— even children yet to be born— to arise and tell their own children 7 that they should put their confidence in GOD, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments. 8 Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to GOD.” [Psa 78:1-8]
In world culture, fathers are typically seen as the ‘providers’ of advice and material things… However, GOD says the father’s role is much larger… Fathers have a vital spiritual role to provide spiritual instruction to their children.
Fathers can show their children HOW to understand the timeless truths in Scripture and practically apply them. The purpose of doing so is that their children develop their unique relationship with GOD from a young age. This is the ‘head start’ that children truly need, but often lack in society.
When fathers teach their children (by their example) how to build confidence in GOD they model to their children how to build genuine confidence in themselves. This also helps the child to recognize the traits of trustworthiness, because they’ve seen faithful examples in their fathers. Even mistakes that they see their fathers make can become learning opportunities.
Fathers Model Respectfulness to their Families - Respect is Reciprocal!:
Father’s exemplify ‘respect’ for their family… As that happens, the children learn that genuine respect is reciprocal – it’s both owed and earned!
Children observe their parents' respect for GOD by observing how they treat one another and other members of the family. This builds a basis for the child to respond with respect towards their parents - because they were treated with respect.
Without witnessing respect in the home children won't know how to respect themselves or others.
Scripture teaches that love is owed to others, but respect is something we must earn from others… Fatherhood teaches this lesson.
The Epistle to the Ephesians notes the importance of obedience to our fathers and the benefit that respectfulness produces:
“Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” [Eph. 6:1-4]
When Ephesians was written, it was common to witness the opposite parenting style of what’s said here in Ephesians… (unfortunately, the same can largely be said of society today…) Father’s put their children under intense pressure to fulfill unrealistic, unattainable, competitive standards which they set (usually despite failing to achieve the same standards themselves.) More importance was placed on being seen as ‘THE BEST’ in the eyes of their society, than being ‘their best’ in the eyes of GOD. Doing so provoked anger, rather than love and respect.
Fathers and families who worshiped GOD in that society were told not to be influenced by the bad examples rampant around them. Instead, they were to follow GOD’s instruction and culture.
Fatherhood prepares Children for a Good Life!:
Ephesians says that learning to respect our fathers (and mothers) promises that our “life will go well for us!”
What we learn by respecting our parents enables us to have what it takes to live a good life - and be respectful towards other people.
We are thankful that GOD's FATHERHOOD shows us HOW to be good fathers!
Practicing GODs love, fathers become heroes with the power to change their children's lives and generations!
- ANOTHEN 👔
