Fathers are Very Important

Lately this subject has greatly affected me. I have been wondering what went wrong.  As I walk through our streets and see the much behaviours of the young people, I wonder what really happened. Are the fathers there? If they are, why are these things then happening? Let’s admit it. The fathers have failed. We looked so much for wealth and improve our life styles and never had times for our children. Some have sired children and then disappeared. There is huge cry among the youth. The fathers who would have modeled their children have run away from their responsibility. When these children become adults, as we have many now with us, what form of parents are they going to be? Arise oh fathers and take up your responsibilities as you are the greatest asset that your children can look to for direction and guidance. You are important.

Where would we be without fathers?  Sadly, many around the world are exactly that as they are without their fathers.  Sadly still, there are many fathers in the home, who are still missing. Missing from their proper role as the spiritual leaders and care takers that God intended them to be.

Many fathers today do not realize the eternal effect they have on their children's lives.  These children will someday grow up and become the leaders of our churches and nations.  Without the proper nurturing and mentoring from a godly father, a child's ability to understand their place in this world is clouded.

The father is really an instrument in God's hand. The whole process of instruction and discipline must be that which God commands and which He administers, so that His authority should be brought into constant and immediate contact with the mind, heart, and conscience of children. The human father should never present himself as the ultimate authority to determine truth and duty. It is only by making God the teacher and ruler on whose authority everything is done that the goals of education can best be attained.

Israelite history reveals that the father was to be diligent in instructing his children in the ways and words of the Lord for their own spiritual development and well-being. The father who was obedient to the commands of Scripture did just that. This brings us to Proverbs 22:6

“Point your kids in the right direction-- when they're old they won't be lost”.(MSG) To “point” indicates the first instruction that a father and mother give to a child, i.e., his early education. The pointing is the training designed to make clear to children the manner of life they are intended for. To commence a child's early education in this way is of great importance.

Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.”(MSG) This is a summary of instructions to the father, stated in both a negative and positive way.  The negative part of this verse indicates that a father is not to foster negativity in his children by severity, injustice, partiality, or unreasonable exercise of authority. Harsh, unreasonable conduct towards a child will only serve to nurture evil in the heart. The word “provoke” means “to irritate, exasperate, rub the wrong way, or incite.” This is done by a wrong spirit and wrong methods—severity, unreasonableness, sternness, harshness, cruel demands, needless restrictions, and selfish insistence upon dictatorial authority. Such provocation will produce adverse reactions, deadening children’s affection, reducing their desire for holiness, and making them feel that they cannot possibly please their parents. A wise parent seeks to make obedience desirable and attainable by love and gentleness.

The positive part of this verse is expressed in a comprehensive direction: educate them, bring them up, and develop their conduct in all of life by the instruction and admonition of the Lord. This is the whole process of educating and discipline. The word “admonition” carries the idea of reminding the child of faults (constructively) and duties (responsibilities).

We wonder why some people are so messed up.  Who messed them up?  Who damaged them?  When did it happen? Sadly, it happens to them as children.  They are abused, neglected, molested, and abandoned.  Then with these traumatic events warping their understanding, they become adults who without healing and restoration raise children with much of the same issues in which they themselves were raised.  Then the vicious cycle begins all over again in that child's life.

Many of you could tell of the issues surrounding your own childhood which has caused you to struggle in life as well as your walk with God.  But thank God for the Blood AMEN?!  And thank God for the Word which shows us Truth and gives us Light to find our way unto Righteousness.

Lastly fathers; you are very important in the eyes of God and your family. The society is looking at you to model the way forward. It is not too late if you did what is right. Let us do what we can, with God’s intervention, to save the next generation.