It’s no coincidence that God uses the father role to teach us about our relationship to him. Throughout Scripture God is referred to as our Father and we as his children. Beyond being what some would call an obvious relationship it seems there is some teaching going on as well. Let’s look at some things we learn from that example.
The Heavenly Father Loves Us
John simply tells us that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8, 16). He is the definition of love. When one considers what all is involved in true Biblical love we will see just how important this teaching is. Earthly fathers should love their children.
Someone might say that loving their children is so obvious that it shouldn’t even be in this article. However a lack of love from fathers is plaguing our families and especially our children today. At the most extreme we have AWOL fathers who have abandoned their children. These “menless” males have often engaged in procreation without regard to the beautiful offspring that flow from such quick relationships. Unwilling to step up and meet their responsibilities they have created a nation-within-a-nation of single moms trying to raise fatherless children. These men to learn what love really is.
Other fathers need to be reminded that there is a difference between career and family. Working so many hours that you never see your children is counterproductive to your goal in life. The idea of fathering in absentia is impossible.
God never became too busy for his people. Even when they deserted him he reached out to them and demonstrated immeasurable love for them. Let us learn from God to truly love our children.
The Heavenly Father Guides Us
God has not left us alone to try and figure out where we should go and what we should do. He has taught us the way and given us every means to travel the road to eternity (John 6:45; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Ephesians 1:3). His word, the Bible, comes from his very lips and teaches us how to live (2 Timothy 3:16).
Our children today are probably among the most brilliant the world has known. Competent to operate computer devices, search the internet for information and use technology far beyond what their parents are capable of, our children are very smart. But intelligence and wisdom often do not cohabitate. Our young people need our wisdom, fathers, and need our guidance to navigate areas of the world where they have never been.
Just as our Father guides us, we need to guide our children.
The Heavenly Father Disciplines Us
God disciplines his people. Whether it was the Israelites who were made to wander for 40 years because of their disbelief (Numbers 14:20ff) or slavery in Babylon (2 Kings 24:10ff), God was bringing discipline and punishment on his people for a purpose.
For all their intelligence our youth are often undisciplined. That charge cannot be laid at their feet however. Many are undisciplined because fathers have not applied the required level of discipline and even punishment that is needed.
No punishment is enjoyable for either the child or the parent. But if we are to properly guide our children we must be willing to bring some authority to what we say. Whatever discomfort we bring now will pay great dividends of peace and security later.
Let us be like our Father who loves us.
2 comments On Ultimate Father
Love the pic and the message is timely. I pray all fathers will take the time to be like our Father in heaven.
Scott
I just read yours on child pornagraphy and pedophilia. I'm am happy you're expounding. Many do not understand they do not have the right to sin, and bring harm to others or claim that incest, prostitution, fornication, etc. are not a problem. On AOL, someone posed as a typical housewife, told me she was sending family photos, and sent me a toddler on the potty, that looked pretty weird. I reported her, but we have to be careful as some are doing things like that, then, trying to get back at the innocent, by making us have to suffer a bad reputation like they have, as if we deserve slander. I'm not perfect nor is my family, but I'm glad we don't have sexual molestation and folks going off to get more on the side.
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