Being a Father

Happy fathers Day to all my male readers. Sorry, it is a bit late, but better late than never, they say. Today, we are exploring what the Bible says about being a father and who is a father. The role of a father originated with God, our Heavenly Father, and is a divine role and calling. Being a father, stepfather, grandfather, or foster father is an opportunity to become like God, to love and care for children as God loves and cares for us. God loves and supports all fathers as they give their best to raise and care for those in their care. Fathers play an essential role in the development and well-being of their children. They can provide love, support, and guidance to their children. Being involved in their children’s lives can help them develop strong self-esteem and confidence.

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth is named Ephesians 3:14-15

What does the Bible say about fathers? Many significant things both glorious and tragic. The Bible says that fatherhood shapes personal identity and self-awareness for both good and evil. It can pass down a rich spiritual inheritance, binding our hearts to God. We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago Psalm 44:1. Fatherhood is also how training, nature, and wise correction influence the rising generation. In 1 Samuel 3:11-13, we see God punishing Eli for not restraining his Foolish sons, Eli’s sin was honoring his sons above God ( 1 Samuel 2:27-30). The Bible records many weaknesses in fathers, for example, Lot harmed his family by his halfhearted concern about the degrading influence of Sodom. Jacob unwisely showed favoritism to Joseph over his other sons. Samson’s father weakly gives in to his sons’ wrong desire for a woman from outside the covenant community (Judges 14:1-3). David bungles a crisis in his family by failing to discern a threat to his daughter Tamar, and failing to discipline his sons Amnon and Absalom justly and effectively (2 Samuel 13.) It is also true that a wise father, when disciplining his children, is careful not to be so impossible to please that he drives them up the wall. A godly father is graced with dignity and honor and can expect a long-term impact. To lead a family happily united in the Lord is a beautiful experience for a father. A faithful father is not lazy or heedless but conscientiously takes responsibility for his children’s spiritual welfare and boldly claims his family for the Lord. He leads his family through life with well-defined spiritual commitment and brings his family before the Lord in Prayer. He provides for his family before the Lord in Prayer and through good earthy things. He looks into the future and plans an inheritance for his family. In both failure and success, a Christian father is made strong by his awareness that his Father in Heaven loves and approves of him for Jesus’ sake.

Being a father is a full-time job, as dads play a vital role in their children’s lives. A good father is patient, loving, supportive, a provider, and a disciplinarian. He sets a fine example for his children and helps them become responsible and successful adults. His Children will look up to him and admire who he is. Fathers make a difference in their children’s lives by being involved in their upbringing. Praying for a good relationship with your children, like God is our Father, we pray that he teaches our men to be more like him.  May all the fathers be constant moment by moment to pursue their higher purpose, by God’s grace and for his Glory and the eternal happiness of their children.