FATHERS: A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
I) FIRST BECOME A GODLY MAN
Before becoming a godly father one must first become a godly man. Once this is done, then becoming a godly father will simply be a matter of fine tuning, for you already will be great father material.
A) BECOME A CHILD OF GOD SO THAT YOU CAN BECOME A GODLY MAN
Become a child of God by trusting alone in Christ alone as your Personal Savior thus receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit Who enables you to learn and act like a godly father:
1) [Jn 3:16]:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
[So trusting in Christ to provide eternal life for you - inheritant in this trust, as the context of the passage indicates, is that Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for all of your sins - will result in the possession of eternal life]
B) THE CHILD OF GOD HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT AS INSTRUCTOR AND ENABLER TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE
2) [Eph 1:13-14]:
(v. 13) "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
(v. 14) Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory.
So at the point of believing God the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer for a number of purposes not the least of which is as an Instructor and Enabler toward a godly life in every capacity:
1) THE HOLY SPIRIT AS INSTRUCTOR:
[1 Jn 2:27]:
"And as for you [believers, (v. 18)], the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him."
4) THE HOLY SPIRIT AS ENABLER
a) [Ro 8:3c-4]:
"And so He [Christ] condemned sin in sinful man [by nailing it to the cross - by paying the penalty for you]
(v. 4) in order that the [perfect & righteous] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
[When a believer is controlled by, i.e., walks according to the Spirit Who now indwells him, (Eph 1:13-14); he fulfills the righteous requirement of the Law. It is a matter of choice for the believer. So if he chooses to follow his own way he will be unrighteous. But if he chooses to be controlled by the Spirit, he will be righteous.
b) [Compare Eph 5:15-18]:
(v. 15) "[Believers] Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise,
(v. 16) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
(v. 17) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
(v. 18) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled [controlled] with the Spirit."
So the key to a successful Christian life including fatherhood is to discuss and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The discernment begins with an earnest study of the basics of the Christian faith as communicated in the bible:
C) STUDY THE BASICS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND INCORPORATE THEM INTO WHAT YOU THINK, SAY AND DO EVERY DAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEADING OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE BASICS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
B) FINE TUNE YOUR LIFE RE: FATHERHOOD
1) THE TIME SPENT WITH YOUR CHILD IS PRECIOUS FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS.
2) CHILDREN ARE TO BE CONSIDERED A BLESSING FROM GOD
a) [Ps 127:5]:
"Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."
3) HAVING BEEN TRAINED IN THE WAYS OF GOD VIA THE BIBLE, ONE IS TO PASS THAT TRAINING ON TO ONE'S CHILDREN
a) [Pr 22:6]:
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it"
4) DISCIPLINING A CHILD IS A GODLY RESPONSIBILITY RESULTING IN REWARDS
a) [Pr 23:13-14]:
(v. 13) "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
(v. 14) Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death."
b) [Pr 29:15]:
"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother."
c) [Pr 29:17]:
"Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul."
5) PARENTS AND CHILDREN REFLECT UPON ONE ANOTHER
a) [Pr 17:6]:
"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."
6) CHILDREN ARE TO OBEY THEIR PARENTS AND PARENTS ARE TO RAISE THEM WITHOUT EMBITTERING THEM VIA GOD'S WAY
a) [Eph 6:1-4]:
(v. 1) "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
(v. 2) 'Honor your father and mother' which is the first commandment with a promise -
(v. 3) 'that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'
(v. 4) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
b) [Col 3:20-21]:
(v. 20) "Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
(v. 21) Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."