True Fatherhood
Posted on 31. Aug, 2010 by Dave Sheath in Blog
When we call God “Father” what are we saying? Are we saying that God is like a father? For many, many people the word father carries a whole range of negative emotions. Many people would say:
My father was never there for me…
My father was an alcoholic…
My father abused me…
… so how can you expect me to relate to God as a father?
And in the mood of feminism people are out there advocating we call God mother if we can relate to that more.
Sometimes the Bible even says that God is like a mother:
Like a mother crying out in the pain of childbirth, so God endures great cost to rescue his people (Isaiah 42:14)
Like a mother’s compassion for her baby is God’s compassion for his people (Isaiah 49:15)
Like a mother who comforts her child, God brings comfort to his people (Isaiah 66:13)
God is like a mother in his care and comfort and gentleness.
The problem is – God is not just like a father. He is the Father. Ephesians 3:15 says this…
I kneel before the Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15
Throughout the Bible God has always been known as the Father. And when God created mankind in his image – he created fathers to mirror his fatherhood. Now we fathers don’t do it as well as we should because of our fallenness – our sin and self-centredness. But God’s fatherhood is what we’re trying to imitate. He shows us true fatherhood.
I was talking about all this with my kids, and I said: “Who’s a better dad – me or God?”. They all said,“GOD!” So I asked, “How much better?” Daniel said, “I hate to admit it but lots”; Micah said: “Infinity times better!” And they’re absolutely right!
If your father was an alcoholic or abusive or never there… that is an awful thing. But please recognise that that’s not what fatherhood ought to look like. If you want to see true fatherhood – look to God! He is the father par excellence!
And men, we can’t just rely on learning about fatherhood from our fathers. We can imitate the the good things. But ultimately it is God we’re to imitate. Make true fatherhood your focus this Father’s Day!
Come and celebrate Father’s Day with us this Sunday. The Kindy to Yr 6 kids are performing in the two morning services. Between the morning services Lola Beaman is arranging a treat for the Dads: Small rolls served with bacon and a choice of either homemade chunky tomato salsa sauce or home made cheese sauce. Sounds great! Even if you’re not a Dad you can join in but you will have to pay $2.
When we call God “Father” what are we saying?
- Are we saying that God is like a father?
- For many, many people the word father carries a whole range of negative emotions.
Many people would say
My father was never there for me.
Or my father was an alcoholic.
My father abused me…
So how can you expect me to relate to God as a father?
And in the mood of feminism people are out there advocating we call God mother if we can relate to that more.
Sometimes the Bible even says that God is like a mother…
Like a mother crying out in the pain of childbirth, so God endures great cost to rescue his people (Isaiah 42:14)
Like a mother’s compassion for her baby is God’s compassion for his people (Isaiah 49:15)
Like a mother who comforts her child, God brings comfort to his people (Isaiah 66:13)
God is like a mother in his care and comfort and gentleness.
The problem is – God is not just like a father.
He is the Father.
Ephesians 3:15 says this…
I kneel before the Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15
Throughout the Bible God has always been known as the Father.
- And when God created mankind in his image – he created fathers to mirror his fatherhood.
- Now we fathers don’t do it as well as we should because of our fallenness – our sin and self-centredness.
- But God’s fatherhood is what we’re trying to imitate.
- He shows us true fatherhood.
