GOD'S IDEAL FATHER!

Courage to live a God-honoring life is absolutely necessary in this culture we live in! Fathers, and men in general, are under so much pressure today to compromise principles and character, and to conform to ungodly attitudes, behavior and values. The world, the flesh (our sinful nature) and the Devil make a strong case (through temptations) for us to yield and give in to an unrighteous life-style that clamors for their alligence. God's ideal Father seeks to live in accordance with God's standards for life, values and character! The Scripture speaks to this truth! "For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure, holding a form of godliness, although they deny its power." (II Timothy 3:2-5). God's ideal man has a life-style that is the exact opposite of those described above!

Of course, this is Fathers' Day! It is a time set aside for all of us to honor our Dads and let them know we love and appreciate them! We give them our respect, gratitude and admiration! For many of us, our Dads have passed away and hopefully we have memories that we cherish! For those who have Fathers that are yet alive, we pray they love Jesus and are setting a great example of godliness! Bless you Fathers today!

For the fathers reading this, the word "ideal" may be intimidating, but bear with me as we look into Scripture to understand God's intent for an "ideal Father"! That man is not defined by perfection, worldly success, physical strength or abilities, social skills, intellectual brilliance, job position, money or wealth, activity participation, etc. I hate to admit it, but I think many men use these attributes as the ideal of being a "really good father"! However, God's intent IS totally different: that man is one of integrity, honesty, and defined by his heart for God, his character, his devotement to his wife and family, his love for Scripture, and by his surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ! Let's consider Psalm 1:1-3. It says, "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked (ungoldy), Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night! He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its seasons, And in whatever he does, he prospers." So, looking carefully at these three verses, let's examine the attributes of God's ideal (Man) Father.

First, he is a "Blessed" Man! The word "blessed" means "happy/joyful". He is happy in the enjoyment of a personal relationship with God! "How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, Nor to those who lapse into falsehood" (Psalm 40:4). This Psalm further declares that the LORD hears the prayer (40:1), establishes the firm footing and puts a new song of praise in the mouth of the "Blessed" man! God's ideal father (man) is happy in the safety of a good standing with God. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). He is also happy in his possession of a steadfast hope!

"Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing (second coming of Jesus) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2:13). And he is blessed in the life-style of honoring and serving the Master of ALL! "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved (by choice and purpose) to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification (set apart/holy), and the out-come, eternal life" (Romans 6:22).

Second, God's ideal father (man) is Wise in his choices! He ". . .does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly" (Psalm 1:1). Why? The answer is: "For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly will perish" (Psalm 1:6). This father is wise in his choice of trust! "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust in Him and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2). He is wise in his choice of the foundation he builds his life on! "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The LORD knows those who are His, and, Everyone who names the name of the LORD is to abstain from wickedness" (II Timothy 2:19). He is wise in the literature he reads. "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than those . . . for they received the Word (of God) with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily. . ." Acts 17:11). To what degree are we fathers in reading and examining the Bible? And he is wise in the choice of the company he keeps. "I am a companion of all those who fear YOU, And of those who keep (obey) Your precepts (commands)" (Psalm 119:63).

Third, God's ideal father (man) is a Separated One. ". . .he does not stand in the path of sinners" (Psalm 1:1). He purposefully removes himself from sinful people, their life-style, values, character, and sinful lusts. He is separated from sin and to God because of God's Great Grace! "For by grace you have been saved through Faith. . . ." (Ephesians 2:8). He is separated to God through personal dedication and consecration! This means to purposefully set oneself apart from the world and dedicate one's life, mind, and actions exclusively to God, His holiness, and to His service. God's father (man) keeps away from people who consistently are judgmental in attitude, speech and behavior. The Psalmist said, "Nor sit in the seat of the scoffers or faultfinders" - the censurers, criticizers, etc.) (Psalm 1:1).

Fourth, God's ideal father (man) is Satisfied! ". . .his delight is in the law of the LORD" (Psalm 1:2). He cultivates a love for God's Word, seeks to apply it to his daily life, guides his family into it, and teaches his family from it consistently. He invests more time and devotion in the Bible than he does with the internet, TV, cell phones, video games, sports, and other much lesser important activities and interests. (He understands that those things cause dissatisfaction, the craving for "more" and a growing unhappiness with what God has given him.) The Psalmist used the word "LAW", but we also have the Word of His Grace (Acts 20:32). This is the salvation provided by Jesus Christ as we read the account of His Cross, the Word of Redemption, and the Word of Eternal Life in Christ the LORD! We have much more than enough reasons to be satisfied in saturating our minds and hearts with THE WORD OF GOD!

Fifth, a father after God's heart is a man who is Diligent! "And in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). His love for God's Word and daily application of it to his life GROWS!

Meditating on God's Word involves a deliberate and consistent act of engaging one's inner spirit and mind on the truth of and insights in the Bible! It means to focus in sincere contemplation on the meaning and application of the teachings of Scripture.

Sixth, the father (man) of God demonstrates Fruitfulness in his life! "He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its seasons" (Psalm 1:3). His life is productive and truly impacts his own character as well as the concerns of God's Kingdom. His family, friends and those who know him will witness his fruitfulness.

Seventh, the father who "seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) is a Prosperous man! "And in whatever he does, he prospers" (Psalm 1:3). Prosperity not only comes through hard work, practicing the habits of good stewardship, financial planning, and all the disciplines of resource. management. But prosperity comes through and because of honoring God, seeking His righteousness first, loving and applying His Word, storing up treasures for eternity rather than only for use in this temporal, non-eternal world!

It's not easy, comfortable or convenient to be God's ideal father (man) in this evil world and hostile culture. Ungodliness abounds everywhere, pressure to conform to this world's value system, and to be consumed with the daily grind of our routine duties and responsibilities. It takes COURAGE, DIVINE WISDOM, DEVOTEMENT TO JESUS AND HIS WORD, and DETERMINATION TO BE GOD'S MAN! Who is God's ideal father (man) in these days? Let it be YOU and ME!