Good, Godly Fathers. Once upon a time a story circulated on the internet that the greeting card company Hallmark decided to offer free cards on Mother’s Day to prisoners. They ran out of cards as inmates lined up to get a card and send it to their moms. The following month the company decided to do it again for Father’s Day. No one picked up a card to send to their father. I’ve never been able to verify that story but the point was that those who get in trouble the most in society usually do so because of the absence of a good father in their lives.
I have had a great father who was present in the important times of my life. He taught me God’s Word, he disciplined me when I was in error, he made sure I attended church to learn more from others, he helped me with school projects, he coached me in sports. The only time he wasn’t present was when he was working to provide for his family.
I don’t know if you had a good father like me or if your father was largely absent. But I know that good, godly fathers are hard to come by. There are a plethora of Bible verses on listening to your fathers or exhortations to fathers to raise their children well. The Apostle Paul said, “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Paul says fathers exhort/encourage and charge their children to live well, especially with an eye on eternity.
You may not have had a father who did those things for you. Maybe you haven’t been the father you needed to be for your children. Of course, God as the heavenly Father of all believers means we have a perfect Father on our side, even when our earthly fathers were far from perfect.
So how can fathers be what they were created to be, even if they have fallen short thus far? Every father should be a good father. Every Christian father should also be a godly father.
What are some characteristics of a good father? A man who works to provide for his family but doesn’t spend all his waking time at work. He is also present with his children. He talks with them about the important matters of life. He teaches them about financial responsibility, work ethic, communication, and more. He disciplines them when they need correction. He loves them at all times. He spends time with them, whether it’s in a sport, or over a game, or spending time relaxing.
What are some characteristics of a godly father? He does what a good father does but he also makes sure his children learn about the Lord. He reads God’s Word to them, even if just a chapter a day (start in John, if you’ve never done it; then move to Romans and Acts; ask “what is this chapter about and how can I apply it?”). He takes his family to church so they can learn from the preacher and other teachers of God’s Word. They look for ways, often with their wives, to build friendships with other Christians, keeping their friendships of their children in mind. A godly father teaches his children to serve in the church and give to the church. These are a few ways to practice godliness as a father.
If you have had a good and/or godly father in your life, take time to thank him. He’s a rare kind of species. If you didn’t have a good father in your life, you can still thank the Lord for His Fatherly care for you. If you are a father, ask God for grace to help you be a good and godly father to your children.
Have a blessed weekend,
Pastor Joel