Fathers Are Still Relevant!

Fathers Are Still Relevant!
By R.W. McAlister

    It seems that as a result of the growing "feminist movement," some in our society downplay the role of the man in the family and some think that a father is really not needed, but that simply isn’t true.
    In many cases, the welfare check has replaced the father. Every family functions at its best when both the father and the mother are present and are both contributing to the family’s growth. According to God’s Word, the man is to be the head of the family. As Paul said, I Corinthians 11:2-3 “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
    When a dad follows His God given role, he will learn to be the spiritual leader in the family. He will be the head of the wife, understand that he must in turn be subject to Christ. In fact, this is where fatherhood begins. You see, if a husband is not conducting himself as a Christian mate, then his children will suffer because they won’t grow up knowing how a mother and father should treat each other in accordance with God’s will.
    Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:25-29 by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church”.
    We learn from Paul that we are to love our wives just as Christ loved the church. Think about how great a love that really is. It should be all-encompassing, undying, so much so that the bond between husband and wife is impenetrable.
    Another important thing that will help us to be good fathers is to have an active prayer life.
    Being the spiritual leader of the home and leading by example can be very challenging – especially if we try to do it all by ourselves. We should never think that we don’t need help, because all of us do and the best source of help that we have is through the avenue of prayer (I Tim. 2:8).
    It might seem like we have our kids with us for a long time, but we really don’t. We only have a short time to make a positive impression on them and there is no doubt we’re going to make some mistakes along the way – I’ve made plenty and I hope my kids don’t suffer long-term because of my ignorance, but I have full confidence that if we pray to God to be better fathers and do the things we should, God will help us.
    Since prayer should be a part of our lives, fathers should make sure to take time out to pray with their families. There is a saying that goes, “A family that prays together stays together.” Let your children see you pray. Lead them in prayer and teach them how to pray.
    One other important point: consider Ephesians 6:4: “…fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
    Paul is teaching us that we should not provoke them in a mean-spirited way that will cause them to be angry or cause them to regret that you’re their father. Paul also tells us that we are to train them up, that is to fully teach them about God’s Word. This is one of the greatest responsibilities of a father.
    Again, he should be the spiritual leader of the household – that’s God’s design, and he should take an active part in teaching his children about the Lord. This is not a new concept. In fact, God has always wanted fathers to be involved in their children’s upbringing.
    For example, notice what the Bible says about Abraham in Genesis 18:19: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment...” Even as far back as Abraham, God had this plan for fathers. Teach the family. Be the loving, God-fearing head of the household. That’s God’s plan.
    We need to choose who we’re going to serve, as Joshua said in Joshua 24:15: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
    We cannot be lazy fathers because it’s our God-given responsibility to train up our children in the way of the Lord. Not only should we study our Bibles, we must also live by what we read. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.
     We need to pay attention to what we say and what we do because our children are watching. If you use foul language or if you’re physically or verbally abusive to your wife or others, then you need to realize: your children will think this is right behavior and will do as you do. We should constantly be asking ourselves if what I’m doing is a good or a bad example. We’re not going to be perfect at this, but we must continue to work at it so that we can have the best possible influence on our children.
    Let us pray to God for more Biblically sound, faithful fathers!

 - R. W. McAlister preaches for the Anna Church of Christ in Anna, IL.He may be contacted through the congregation's website:
http://www.annachurchofchrist.com