“…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

The United States of America and many countries around the world have set aside June 19, 2016 as “Father’s Day.” It is one day out of the calendar year that the fathers are celebrated for the position that they hold as a father to their offspring. However, it appears the standard of the world (this sin-led society) – many, if not most, judge who is a good father through the eyes of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of life; which is the standard, or philosophy, of this world.

Earthly fathers are living in a world today wherein it is very difficult to discern the Godly standard set forth in the Word of God as to the walk of a Godly father. The standard, or philosophy, of this world is so predominate as to what and who is a good father to his children, that the standard of the Word of God is scarcely understood, much less practiced.

The defining of the word “good” in the area of a Godly father in our society has been so perverted because of a gross lack of Biblical teaching by the Christian Church. “Good” to most people now, even in the church, is: a) have a job and be regular to work; b) pay your bills in a timely manner; c) provide food, clothes, and shelter for the family; d) send the children to school; e) don’t be a drunk, not a child abuser, not a wife beater, etc. Yes, the above must be; however, the Word of God goes much further than these admirable physical characteristics.

The Word of God is very plain in defining a Godly father. Both the Hebrew Word (“ab,” used 1214 times in the Old Testament) and the Greek Word (“pater,” used 419 times in the New Testament) signifies: 1) a nourisher; 2) an upholder; 3) an originator, progenitor; therefore, a parent, a father. A father must then be as Adam, a male in gender. The first earthly father that God created, He created to: 1) keep God’s creation; 2) be the head of God’s creation and as such type out God, Who is the Head of His Creation; 3) be the head of the family unit, and as such, Adam was to: a) “pro-create” offspring; b) provide for his offspring; c) protect his offspring; d) plan for his offspring. This pro-creation was set up by God between one male and one female. Simply stated, a man that is married to one woman is a husband until his wife bears the unit a child; then a man becomes a father, and the woman becomes a mother; both with responsibilities particular to their God-appointed positions as husband, head, and father for the male; and mother, teacher, and keeper of the house for the female. The father is to work to supply the needs of his family; he is to warn his family of danger ahead; and he is to be a witness of his position, or in other words, he is to be the example to his family as set forth in the Word of God.

God’s standard supersedes the standard of the world. Yes, the father is to Work to supply his families’ needs; yes, he is to stand on the wall and Warn his family of any and all dangers that lie ahead to destroy; and he is to be a Witness, or an Example, to his family. But God demands the father to have a Godly Attitude, Godly Action, and a Godly Attire. The world “celebrates” a good father; whereas God “Rewards” a Godly father. God’s standard demands that a Godly father walk in the Love of God; the Righteousness (holiness or purity) of God; and in the Peace of God; and in the Power of God.

Therefore, to meet God’s standard of a Godly father; the father must be:

A.  A Man with a Godly Attitude (Perception): (a man with the wisdom of God and the understanding of God). Christ is the Wisdom of God: (1Co 1:24) “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (Pro 1:7) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Those who have been called of God in Regeneration by the Holy Spirit and brought to conversion whereby they confess Christ to be their Substitute, Sacrifice, and Savior are those: a) who have been given the “Mind of Christ”; b) who have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit; c) who walk in the Love of God and in the fear of God. These are those that know that they have been given a new nature created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24); therefore, have a new will and a new desire to follow God in the Spirit, and walk even as Christ walked in love, peace, power, holiness and a sound mind.

When a father has the mind of Christ, he then sees, or views, or understands, that he is a new creature in Christ, his old way of life and perception has passed away, and now he desires to please Christ in all things (2 Cor. 5:17). Now the father walks not in the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life; but, he is led of the Spirit of God, he lives in the Spirit, and he walks in the Spirit of God. This new attitude of the father allows him not to be selfish, sensual, and senseless – but just the opposite; for now his attitude is Godly, and God-oriented, with a desire to please God as a father in his family. This new mind of Christ allows the father to know how to please God and his children, as he leans not to his own understanding, but acknowledges God in everything and walks according to God’s standard, and not the standard of the flesh or of this world.

Therefore, the father that has been given the “mind of Christ”: a) his motives are God-centered and not self-centered; b) his understanding of his father role is God-illuminated; c) his affections and mind set are heavenly; d) then, his actions are God-honoring and therefore good for his family.

B. A Man of Godly Actions: The father who has been given a new nature and has a new attitude also has Godly actions. That is, the Just shall live by Faith (that is by the Faith, Jesus Christ, Who is The Faith, Who lives and abides in the child of God): (Gal 2:20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” His works will be “works of faith”; that is, his works will be from Christ, Who is the Source of all good works: (Phil. 2:13) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” His fruit will be of the Spirit: (Gal. 5:22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Therefore, his works will not be done in the flesh for his flesh has been crucified” (Gal 5:24) “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

As the song says, “thanks to Calvary I am not what I used to be,” for now my family has a new daddy. The regenerated man (saved man) not only has a new attitude (or perception), but he also has new works in his life; not works of the flesh, but, works of the Spirit of God, (Jas. 2:14-26). His desire in his actions is to please God in everything; especially in his own family, therefore, his actions toward his family are Godly.

C. A Man of Godly Attire: The regenerated father wears a new garment. It is the garment of Salvation. The garment of Righteousness; this is speaking of the inner man. The outer garment of the saved man is humility, patience, and peace which flow from the love of God being shed aboard in his heart by the Holy Spirit. The saved father, not only has works of faith, but these works are completely immersed in the love of God; which causes the saved father to be selfless, giving himself completely to God to nourish and cherish his children, as God does His children; and a father that will stand against sin in his house, and train up his children in the ways and word of God, and be a shining example to his household of the grace and love and mercy of God, his Savior. This kind of father is a Witness of Jesus Christ to his family in his word and in his walk. He can say to his family as the Apostle Paul said, “Be ye followers me even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).

Conclusion:

How many fathers do you know that look as if they are followers of Jesus Christ? If you know of one who is a follower of Jesus Christ in word and walk, go to that man and say:

Praise God that you are an example of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your testimony for His Name’s sake. Thank you for leading your family in the Righteousness of Christ. Thank you for bringing your body, soul, and spirit into the subjection of Christ; which is evidenced by your outward obedience to the Word of God as a Godly father. Thank you for the witness of Christ to your home, to your work place, to your friends, and to those you are not even aware of that see your walk. This is your day of recognition and reward; be blessed.