The true measure of a man
Sunday, June 15, was Father’s Day! But what does Father’s Day really mean?
There was a time in America when nearly everyone knew the answer to that question, especially during World War II. Young fathers set out for war into situations like D-Day (70 years ago) with their wives and children not knowing if they would return. When they returned they eagerly lived out the role of a loving father, thankful they were able to do so. Today it seems, much of the younger generation think the term “father” stands for emptiness in the chair across the table.
As a result of the absence of “fatherhood,” the message of Christ Jesus about a loving Father falls on deaf ears. Many mothers and children (some even at the age of 50) scoff at the idea of a Heavenly Father who loves them and who offers hope for their lives. “Oh, we’ve heard that lie before!” they often say with deep bitterness. Whenever an earthly father abandons his role of the loving, guiding, providing protector, then Father God potentially loses another child to eternal death.
The husband, father, “daddy,” whom God created to be the guiding light in a home, is central to the understanding of the eternal truth of a Loving Heavenly Father. If the father is seen as the one who abandons them and takes away their love and hope, then it is nearly impossible to con- vince the one abandoned that God is a loving Father who will never abandon them. Without the working power of the Holy Spirit the truth would never be believed.
Fathers, and young men who soon will be fathers, do you want to change this devastating view of the role of a man in the family? If you do, you can no longer believe the world’s idea of manhood — the base, boozing, partying animal who lives only for himself. Oh, it will take courage, and a lot of it — something the world’s man doesn’t seem to have. But a real man can stand tall and love his wife, love his children, and live before them a life that enables each member of his family to believe the message of Jesus Christ — our Heavenly Father loves us. Then, the American family (and families of any nation where the fathers live out Christ principles) can celebrate with great passion each Father’s Day in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father!!
••• Editor’s note: Jim Duncan is the pastor of Mountain Bible Church, Mountain, Mo. He may be contacted at P.O. Box 146, Pea Ridge, AR 72751; or by telephone at 417-341-8504; by e-mail at james.ahscrolls@wildblue.net. His Web site is www. jamesduncan-writer.net.