Dear brothers and sisters,
Loving greetings in the name of our lord Jesus
Christ. Today let us see about the importance of honoring both
the human and the Spiritual Fathers and mothers in our lives.
I have been carefully watching the Christian families nowadays
and it is true that over these years some of the basic Christian
value systems are getting degenerated. So, it is our duty to remind
the people about the biblical teachings that we should not forget.
There can be two Fathers for each spiritual person in this world
apart from the heavenly father God. Through one person we would
have born in this world and through another we are being introduced
us to the lord Jesus Christ, to the spiritual kingdom of heaven.
The bible teaches us that it is the Lord who
enables our fathers to beget a child as in Rom 4:17, “As
it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."
Also in Heb 11:11, “By faith Abraham, even though he was
past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become
a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.
Each human child is a gift from the Lord as in Psa 127:3, “Behold,
children are a heritage from the LORD; The fruit of the womb is
a reward.”
Then all the children who are born on this world
cannot go to heaven as they are, so God selects some one to lead
us spiritually in to the kingdom of God through a spiritual person
chosen by God for this work. A spiritual father is more valuable
and he is equelant to ten thousand teachers in this present world
as in 1 Cor 4:15, “Even though you have ten thousand guardians
in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I
became your father through the gospel.”
What all the works of a spiritual father?
1. He can very easily and boldly say son follow me (imitate me)
as in 1 Cor 4:16, “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”
[you cannot imitate your earthly father unless he is a born again,
mature spiritual person]
2. They will nourish the child and take care of the child fully
as in 1 Th 2:11, “For you know that we dealt with each of
you as a father deals with his own children,”
3. They will encourage their spiritual children in the word of
God and serving the lord constantly as in 1 Th 2:12
4. They will comfort them when ever they are down hearted or disappointed
in their lives as in 1 Th 2:12
5. They will urge them to make use of the time and serve the lord
without ceasing as in 1 Th 2:12
6. They will give more importance to the Christian character of
their children more that they may walk worthy before the Lord
so that they can be taken up in the coming of the Lord as in 1
Th 2:12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy
of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
7. They can serve like a spiritual mother to a child also as apostle
Paul has said about himself they can serve with love and grace
as in 1 Th 2:7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing
mother cherishes her own children.
8. They will be more affectionate than the real mothers because
they get their love through the Holy Spirit as in 1 Th 2:8.
9. They will be more pleased to impart to their spiritual children
some of their own talents as in 1 Th 2:8 So, affectionately longing
for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel
of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to
us.
The bible clearly says honor your father and
mother that means you have to honor both the human fathers as
in Eph 6:2 “Honor your father and mother"--which is
the first commandment with a promise. As a child inherits the
work or business of his human father naturally, a spiritual son
also can inherit the ministry spiritually as he is faithfully
following the spiritual father as in Phil 2:22, “But you
know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his
father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”
What may these human fathers be able to do to
the child? They will discipline the child as long as they have
some hope in the child as in Heb 12:9, “Moreover, we have
all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them
for it.” What will be the reward for the obedience? Obedience
to the spiritual father will be a rewarding and profitable experience
as in Heb 13:17, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive,
for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.
Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be
unprofitable for you.”
May the Lord help each one of us to respect the
father and mother and get all the blessings through them. Amen
Your Web-Site Pastor,
Rev.
Dr. T. Marcus Devasahayam
Web-site: www.barodabibleclub.org
e-mail: marcusbbc@yahoo.com
Mobile: 91-9327243600 ,Church 3096882 / 5540651.
Res : 3, 2nd floor, Arpita Complex, Priyalaxmi Mills Road, Vadodara
– 390003, Gujarat, India, Phone:91-265-2335651.
