06/21/2020
What do good fathers give their children of themselves that lasts for a lifetime, and what does our Heavenly Father give us that is more valuable than His love, and grace, which lasts an eternity? Discipline is a way of training someone, or one’s self, to adhere to certain rules, or manner of behavior. It also includes punishment as a form of correction. Fathers owe their children more than just food and a place to sleep, they must teach them how to live well in their life, and world... how to be honorable, and who God is.
“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”
Hebrews 12:8-10 ESV
Our Spiritual Father takes our fatherly lessons from an earthly venue, to one which is spiritual in scope, teaching us righteousness, holiness, and how to live with Him in His kingdom for eternity... both types of fatherly lessons require discipline to achieve; both require love to administer, and together they save the souls of our children. Scripture instructs fathers, so that they can partner in raising God’s children.
““You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 ESV
Today is Father’s Day, and we celebrate the impact that our fathers have had on our lives, and the love they have shown us. We also show them respect for providing for us, defending us, and yes correcting us, but most of all we honor them for the successful, and good, people they have made us to be by administering this process of loving discipline we both had to endure. Today we lift up our biological fathers, our step fathers, our adopted fathers, and all the men who fathered us without the benefit of a formal title... those we simply call father figures. We also celebrate our Heavenly Father who loved us first, and loves us best; our Spiritual Father who suffers through transforming us into righteous, and holy, men and women who resemble Him in His perfect character, and in every other way. He makes us loving, merciful, kind, humble, and gives us so many of His other attributes that they are impossible to count, but He also teaches His sons to be good earthly fathers by His example.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
1 John 3:1-3 ESV
Fathers teach us by instruction, but also by example. They tell us how to behave, but unless they show us how this is done, then those lessons by instruction falter, and are invariably lost. Earthly fathers do this by living good and righteous lives before their families. Our Heavenly Father does it through His steadfast character, and shows us further by having sent His Son Jesus Christ to be a living breathing example to us of what we should become. He demonstrates, love, prayer, worship, Forgiveness, humility, and every other trait a righteous and holy man should live out in his life.
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
1 Peter 1:14-19 ESV
But as children we can be belligerent, and head strong. We tend to go our own way, and ignore valuable lessons that are meant to save our lives, and souls. So sometimes correction is necessary to reinforce the disciplining of our faith, lives, and to teach us how to adhere to the honorable and good characteristics that will improve who we are... that will transform us. So discipline requires punishment, and it is something that earthly fathers, and our Father God, are not fond of. That old saying “This is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you.” is true. Were you ever placed on restriction, or had your car, or bicycle, taken away? Well it wasn’t until I was a father that I understood the inconvenience this was for a parent. Or when I was a child, and received a spanking... I wondered why my father winced when he administered the switch, but those lessons were never lost on me, and saved me much heartache and trouble in my life.
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”
Proverbs 13:24 ESV
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”
Proverbs 22:15 ESV
Whatever form of discipline modern fathers adhere to should be founded in love, and applied consistently. Today as children we honor our fathers who loved us enough to discipline us, and for those of us who are fathers we now know that the pain of discipline is a double edged sword that hurts both child and parent, but is necessary nonetheless. So for those lessons I honor my father, and likewise feel his pain in those unpleasant moments of correction. Who I am today didn’t come by allowing me to have everything I wanted, but by being disciplined enough to learn that I should earn those things I needed.
So whether we are honoring our fathers, honoring God, or being honored ourselves today, I hope that we see the love that was in each of those fatherly lessons, and know that even in the most unpleasant of those moments, when punishment was necessary, that there was love flowing from each correction, and we see their value in making us who we have become today... righteous men, women, and fathers.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving me throughout my life, and thank you for loving me enough to discipline me. Thank you Lord for the example of life, death, and resurrection I find in Jesus, and the understanding that your Holy Spirit provides to me. I honor you Holy Father for calling me, fathering me, and transforming me. I thank you for my earthly fathers who work hand in hand with you to bring out righteousness, and holiness, making the untrained child I once was to be pleasing to you. Holy, Holy, Holy, Me you who loves me in my obedience, and loves me enough to discipline me in my disobedience. Praised be your name for every righteous characteristic you have taught me, and hear my prayer this day as I thank you for your blessings, and ask your forgiveness amidst my ongoing lessons. Great are you my God who not only holds me close, but holds the rod of discipline in your hand. All glory is your Father as I reach each new level of faithfulness. You are a merciful Father, and your grace is your love that is poured out in abundance on your children forevermore.
““Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:2-4 ESV
Rich Forbes