Daily Archives: June 16, 2016

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is set aside to commemorate the important role fathers play in our society. More importantly, fathers are an essential and vital and cherished part in the God-ordained structure of the family and a foundation block of moral order (Gen. 2:21-25). The Bible teaches us that God is our heavenly Father (Matt. 6:9). As the perfect Father, He is the role model for all fathers. The following are some truths we find in scripture about God’s Fatherhood and an application of those truths to our own condition.

The Bible tells us that Jesus sat down with His Father in His throne (Rev. 3:21). We have no earthly way of knowing what that was like but it must have been and continue to be glorious beyond our ability to imagine (John 17:1-5). They could sit down together because they were one and united (John 10:30). One of the greatest blessings I have received in my life is to sit down with my Dad and talk with him and enjoy the fellowship of his presence (I John 1:3). Sometimes we don’t even talk, we just sit down together. But it is good to be with him. Sons and daughters who are estranged from their father miss out on such a wonderful blessing.

What a blessing it is also to wear the name of God, to be called His son (II John 3:1). We should try as hard as we can to not bring reproach upon that good name (I Pet. 4:16). I am also thankful to wear my father’s name. My Dad tells the story that when he was younger, the barber would ask him how his dad, Elmer, was, and to tell him that any time he needed a haircut to come in and it would be free. My grandfather had let him stay in one of his houses for free until he could get back on his feet, and the barber felt indebted to him. My grandfather’s good name was known and entrusted to my Dad, who bears it well. I hope to wear my family name well and honor my father.

God is not a respecter of persons (I Pet. 1:17). God does not favor one of His children over another, but encourages and expects the best of all. Quite differently, Isaac and Rebekah played favorites with their children (Gen. 25:28). Jacob played favorites with Joseph (Gen. 37:3). When parents do this, it brings division and hatred and trouble in the family (Gen. 37:4). I am thankful that my Dad has never played favorites with his children. He loves them all equally. He rejoices when one suceeds, and is saddened when one fails. A good father does not play favorites just as God does not play favorites.

Another blessing that comes from God as our Father is that He bestows on His children great and timely gifts; gifts that are just what is needed. The Bible tells us every good and perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights (James 1:17). Good gifts are not defined as everything a child wants, for children often want what is not best for them. Good gifts are what are needed. My Dad has given me many gifts. Some of those gifts, however are long gone, worn away with time. The best gifts that he has given me are his love, time, attention and direction in life. These are gifts that are always with me.

God also provides correction to His erring children. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Heb. 12:6). Discipline is not a sign of hatred, but of love when it is carried out for the right reasons and in the right way. Some of the greatest tragedies of fatherhood have occurred because fathers did not discipline their children (e.g., I Sam. 3:13). My Dad never spanked me or hit me (but my Mom did–and I’m better for it!) but he talked with me and explained to me why I had done wrong. I never felt as bad in life as when I had let him down by my actions.

Our Heavenly Father is also our teacher. “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things” (John 8:28). Father’s should be full time teachers of their children (Deut. 6:6,7). The public schools may be given charge of the children by parental consent, but they are not the main teachers, or shouldn’t be.

Fathers are to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). One of the fondest memories I have is sitting with my Dad and reading from a book I had checked out of the school library. My Dad also taught me the really important things in life like the importance of family, the importance of being a man of your word, the importance of standing for the right. He taught me things that had eternal value and I am eternally indebted to him.

May God give us more fathers like our Heavenly Father.

Eric L. Padgett