Daily Devotional

-June 20, 2021-The first day of summer.

Good morning happy Lord’s Day, happy Father’s Day,

-The Role Of A Godly Father-

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

(Ephesians 6:4).

In order to be a godly father, one must first be a godly man and husband. Fathers have a great responsibility to be leaders in their households. Fatherhood is really all about relationships, first with God, then one’s wife and children.

Though it it true it takes a village to raise a child, such as childcare givers, grandparents, Sunday School teachers, and others, parents play the most important part. Fathers are role models for their kids. One of the chief reasons the world is in the mess it is is because most families don’t attend church, pray, or read the Bible. It is the family altar that stokes the fire of devotion to Christ. The old adage is certainly true: “The family that prays together, stays together.”

The godly father must wear many hats, most notably leader, example, role model, teacher, and disciplinarian. Sometimes it seems overwhelming. Along with responsibility comes accountability. Fathers are responsible for their wives and children, first and foremost to God, and with that responsibility comes accountability. The godly father will be rewarded by the Lord much like an elder in the church.

Hebrews 13:17 is written regarding elders and those under them in the church, but applies to fathers and their children as well, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Paul reminds fathers of two important things: don’t provoke your children to wrath and to bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

• Do not provoke your children to wrath – If a father is overly strict, gives excessive criticism, and does not have the love and gentleness of Christ, one can lose them. As soon as they are eighteen, they will leave the household. Love is the key for fathers and for everyone. Taking the time to spend with one’s children is absolutely essential to the relationship between fathers and their children.

• Bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord – This the nuts and bolts of successful fatherhood. If we expect our kids to be saved and go on for the Lord, we must set the example. Discipline is sorely lacking in so many households today. As I always say, discipline them in love, and love them in discipline.” Fathers are teachers and trainers. The difference between the two is: teachers tell you what to do, trainers show you what to do. Kids see everything you do and hear everything you say. Kids can spot hypocrisy a mile away. Being honest and open means asking your child to forgive you when you said or did something wrong to them.

Being a godly father takes much time, patience, perseverance, and hard work. God enables one to do it by His sufficient grace. For respect to be given, it must be earned. For lessons to be taught, they must be practiced. The world says, “Do as I say, not as I do.” The godly father says, “Do as I do, as what I do is obey and follow Christ.” To produce godly sons, we must be godly fathers.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day and Father’s Day. Let us honor our fathers and be great fathers. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean