Being a Spiritual Father (Part 1)
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Fatherhood is vital to rearing godly children. God expected Adam to rear his children with the knowledge of God, but sin entered the world and thwarted God’s plans. Cain murdered Abel and was cursed by God. When Seth was born, the Bible says Adam “begot a son in his own likeness, after his image” (Genesis 5:3). This contrasts to Adam’s being made “in the likeness of God” (Genesis 5:1). Why the difference? Seth got his identity from Adam, but Adam was a sinner. Children receive their identity from their fathers.
Research has demonstrated that fathers who are engaged spiritually are apt to produce spiritually minded children. The mothers of the home may be 100% spiritual, but if their fathers are not, the children are not as apt to be either. Fathers need to have a close, loving, and nurturing relationship with their children. They must engage spiritually in several key areas: faithfulness to teaching, intensity of focus, attendance at weekly services, belief in biblical literalism, religious intensity, and civic engagement of one’s beliefs (Families and Faith, Bengtson, Oxford: 2013, p.76-77). It is for these reasons that the Bible says, “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).
One of the key factors in God’s choosing Abraham and promising to make of him a great nation was his ability to be a good father. God said of Abraham, “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” When fathers fully participate in God’s purposes this facilitates God’s ability to increase blessings in the home.
God bless you, and I love you. Kevin Cauley