What does that mean? The word “honour” comes from the Hebrew word “Kabod” which means “heavy or weighty”. Children are commanded to honour, respect, esteem and value their fathers as gifts from God.
That may be very difficult in some homes. Where the home was not conducive to love. Where fathers have set a bad example for their children, through neglect or abuse etc.
All of these things aside, we are not to dishonour, disrespect or rebel against them. Christian fathers must build a home in which it will function as: 1. A SCHOOL. Fathers are to practice Proverbs 1 vs 8 “Listen my son, to your Father’s instruction and do not forget your Mother’s teaching.” 2. A HOSPITAL. A place where physical, emotional and spiritual scars can be healed and soothed, with the oil of comfort and with the ointment of grace. And THIRDLY the home is to be like the CHURCH in your home, where the Christian life is developed, modelled, and God is worshipped and glorified.
God can be your faithful Father. Perhaps your own father is no longer with you. Or maybe you never knew him. Or have even found him to be unfaithful. God, your faithful Heavenly Father would love to adopt you into His forever family.
Maybe you would like to be a spiritual Father to someone else. Elisha called Elijah his spiritual Father in second Kings. For ten years he sat at his feet, matured under his leadership and learned about walking with God from his spiritual Father Elijah. Then, as Elijah was swept up into the whirlwind, his mantle fell and Elisha picked it up and carried on in this same prophetic ministry.
The apostle Paul called Timothy “my beloved son in the faith”. Paul taught, wept and prayed for Timothy and in turn told Timothy to preach the Word after Paul departed to glory. In Timothy’s life Biblical faith was lived out in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, and now in him.
Of first importance, confess your sins to the Lord Jesus and sincerely repent of them. Jesus will become your brother and God your perfect Father.
Of second importance then, pass on that baton of faith to others, pick up the mantle, walk in the footsteps of mature leaders and be a spiritual Father to others.
Blessings this Father’s Day.
Pastor Gary Tomiuck
Wainfleet Congregational Christian Church
