GOD'S KIND OF FATHER Whatever happened to masculinity?
It seems that our society is trying to redefine the roles of men and women. Chuck Swindoll book "Growing Wise in Family Life", he asks the following questions: Remember when men were men? Remember when you could tell by looking? Remember when men knew who they were, liked how they were, and didn't want to be anything but what they were? Remember when it was the men who boxed and wrestled and bragged about how much they could bench press? Remember when it was the women who wore the makeup, the earrings & the bikinis? Remember when it was the men who initiated the contact and took the lead in a relationship, made lifelong commitments, treated a woman like a lady, and modeled a masculinity that displayed security and stability?
Swindoll goes on to say, "We need fewer spineless wimps who've never disentangled themselves from mama's apron strings, and more clear-thinking, hard-working, straight- talking men who, while tender, thoughtful, and loving, don't feel the need to ask permission for taking charge. I'm convinced that most single ladies would love to have men like that to spend time with... and most wives long to have men like that to share life with. Children especially like having dads like that."
Our children are looking to us to be examples of real masculine men. The children of our world are crying out for fathers that are actually wanting to fulfill the masculine role God has intended for them. They want fathers who will take on the spiritual leadership of their home.
Fathers who will be there when they need them. Fathers who are willing to accept the responsibility that was given them when they became fathers.
Of all the fathers named in the Bible, Abraham stands out as the kind of father God wants every father to be. Genesis 18:19 (NIV) "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
He is one of the most outstanding men in the Bible. He is worthy of being imitated by all men -- especially fathers.
God's Kind of Father: IS A MAN OF GREAT
FAITH
The trait the Bible singles out for special praise is Abraham's faith. Hebrews
emphasizes this:
Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
Hebrews 11:9 "By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise."
Hebrews 11:10 "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Hebrews 11:11 "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise."
Hebrews 11:17 "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice."
Genesis 15:6 "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness."
Abraham's faith placed him in a saving relationship with God the Father. What child would not long for a dad who by faith had become a child of God. A Dad Who was living by faith. A dad who was leading his family in a faith walk with God? That child would never have to fear abuse and neglect. That child would be sure of kind and loving treatment.
God's kind of father: IS AWARE OF GOD'S CALL ON HIS LIFE
God called him to leave his homeland, family, and friends to go out to a land God would give him. (Genesis 11 and in Genesis 12:1) Abraham responded to God's call without knowing where he was going. God called Abraham to become the father of a nation (Israel). God would bless the world though this nation. Abraham obeyed that call.
What a blessing to have a father and husband who obeyed God's call on his life. When we talk of God "calling" we usually think of a calling into the professional ministry. God's calling rests on every father. Part of this calling is to raise our children in the ways of God.
Every one of us is called of God to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. All fathers might not be called to preach, or be a missionary. All fathers are called to teach the gospel in their own home. Fathers, like it or not, your children will be more like you than any other man in the world. We influence our children for bad or for good. We MUST be careful where our paths lead our children.
God's kind of father: IS A MAN WITH GOD'S BLESSING IN HIS LIFE
God greatly blessed faithful Abraham. He made him the fore father of the Savior. God also blessed Abraham with a homeland. God blessed Abraham with a promised son, Isaac. Abraham and Sarah in old age had Isaac. What a great blessing for Isaac to be born in Abraham's home. It was a privilege to be reared by such a great father of faith. Abraham passed those blessings on to his son.
Would to God that all children could have that kind of father. Our world would be a better place; our streets would be safer; our children would be happier, more secure, and more productive. God's kind of father takes the blessings of God and uses them to bless his own children.
God's kind of Father: IS A MAN WITH A GRACIOUS SPIRIT
In Genesis 13 we see a conflict between Abraham's herdsmen & Lot's herdsman. Abraham graciously offered Lot the choice of territories. Abraham willingly would take what Lot didn't want. In spite of very difficult circumstances, Abraham sought to be kind and generous to all his family.
A godly father ought to have a gracious spirit. What lesson so our children learn from us? Do they learn the lesson of a gracious, loving, kind, and a godly spirit. I've noticed that my children do some things that make me uncomfortable. They tend to react to things in the same way they have seen me react in similar situations.
If I react in anger, they tend to react in anger in similar circumstances. If we want our children to have a gracious spirit, we must give them an example of a gracious spirit.
God's Kind of Father: IS A MAN OF PRAYER
What higher wish could children have than to know that their father was holding them up in prayer?
I pray for their welfare. I pray that they grow up to be Christian.
We know that Abraham was a man of prayer. He prayed for the promised son. He prayed for the welfare of his son Ishmael. He prayed about the threatened destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah. Abraham was a man of prayer.
No wonder James tells us that Abraham was called "God's friend." Most fathers could come closer to be like this Abraham. I know of no heavier responsibility and no greater privilege than to be a father
Fathers help mold a lives for God. We truly need God's help. If we will
weave these qualities into our life, we will be God's kind of fathers.