Dear Brethren,
Honour and Roles of Father
“A son honoureth his father, …if then I be a father, where is mine honour? (Malachi 1:6a)
Today is Father’s Day and I like to share that it is an honour to be a father. All fathers will know our awesome responsibility and duty in obeying what God has commanded us to do in Ephesians 6:4, ’And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.’ The Bible says that fathers are worthy of honour. Where does the honour come from? It comes from fulfilling his role as father according to the Word of God. It is just like asking why do we honour our Heavenly Father? Because of who He is as our Creator and yet condescending to relate to us in love, mercy and grace. A Christian father is worthy of honour if he fulfills the following roles:
1. Father is Provider
A father ought to supply the needs of the family. He works hard and depends on God for the provision of food and shelter to his family. It is sad to see some fathers who squander away their income in drinking, gambling and self-indulgence. Some spend money beyond their means and it causes the family to suffer. How to be a worthy father if he only thinks of himself?
2. Father is Protector
A father defends his children in dangerous situations and against wicked persons. He will stand up with courage to ensure his children are safe. More importantly, the Christian father must protect his children from worldly temptations. This means keeping the children away from undesirable TV programmes and computer games.
3. Father is Playmate
Playing together is good for both father and child by strengthening the bond between them. This is especially important when the child is young. Father should learn to condescend to play with his child e.g. soccer game, badminton, scrabble and even arm-wrestling or horse-back. This will build healthy companionship which can last a life time.
4. Father is Pedagogue and Teacher
A pedagogue is a leader of children, hence a guide and teacher. Father can teach his children sports or a musical instrument or school work. More importantly, father must spend time to teach and guide his children in making godly choices and follow the way of the Lord. Father must set godly example to his children so that they will follow father as father follows the Lord Jesus.
5. Father is Pastor of the Family
Father ought to care for the children spiritually. This must be father’s greatest concern for his children. Our children are entrusted to us by God. In the family, father is a pastor who teaches spiritual truth to the children and leads them in the way of the Lord. Father ought to pray and read the Bible to their children. Father must take his spiritual responsibility seriously.
Every father has a big big responsibility to God to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Let every earthy father reflect the Heavenly Father. Then he is indeed worthy of the honour of a father.
Elder John Leong