Thursday, May 9, 2013

How Is God a Good Father?


In a matter of months I will become a Father! This has made me think a lot about what fatherhood is and what it should look like. The Bible calls God a Father and calls us his children. These are some observations I made about fatherhood based upon how my heavenly Father is a father to me.

A Father…

·         Gives grace and peace (Beginning of Paul’s letters)
·         Provides (1 Corinthians 8:6)
·         Protects by destroying evil (1 Corinthians 15:24)
·         Brings mercy and gives comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)
·         Promises to be father, and won’t leave his wife or kids (2 Corinthians 6:18, Hebrews 13:5)
·         Is sacrificial (Galatians 1:4)
·         Takes responsibility for things that aren’t his fault (Romans 5:8)
·         Is willing to die for his wife and kids (Ephesians 5: , Romans 5:8)
·         Blesses with spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
·         Gives wisdom and knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17)
·         Allows access into his life (Ephesians 2:18)
·         Commands respect (Ephesians 3:14)
·         Is someone to be thankful for (Ephesians 5:20)
·         Is loving and faithful (Ephesians 6:23, 1 John 3:1)
·         Exhorts and encourages his children in godliness (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
·         Directs his children in a correct way (1 Thessalonians 3:11)
·         Comforts and gives hope even while establishing his children (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
·         Disciplines in love (Hebrews 12:6-7)
·         Finds pleasure in giving good gifts (Luke 12:32 James 1:17)
·         Allows his children to fellowship with him (1 John 1:3)
·         Can be known by his children (1 John 2:13)
·         Can be abided in (1 John 2:24)
·         Is someone to be obeyed (2 John 1:4)
·         Does not condemn (Romans 8:1)
·         Lives the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
·         Loves his children (1 Corinthians 13:3-8)
·         Guards his children (1 Peter 1:5)
·         Is someone who should be imitated (Ephesians 5:1, 1 Peter 1:15)
·         Builds up his children (1 Peter 2:5)
·         Cares and listens to his children (1 Peter 5:7)
·         Restores, confirms, strengthens, and establishes his children  (1 Peter 5:10)
·         Is patient (2 Peter 3:9)
·         Speaks life giving words  (Genesis 1)
·         Speaks into the life of his children (Jonah 1:1, 1 Samuel 3:10, Acts 9:4)
·         Is forgiving (Psalm 86:5, Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:13)
·         Has a will for his children (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
·         Does not provoke his children to anger but disciplines and instructs in righteousness (Ephesians 6:4)
·         Keeps his promises (Joshua 21:45)
·         Restores his children gently (Galatians 6:1)
·         Corrects by exposing the sin of his children (Romans 4:15)
·         Gives good advice on how to live (Book of Proverbs)
·         Gives an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)
·         Is there in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)


This list will continue to grow as I read and learn more about being a Father. Do you have any thoughts on how God has been a good Father to you?