SEPTEMBER 16
FATHER'S FAMILY (PART TWO)
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11 As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory. (WEB)
In yesterday's blog, I discussed how the Apostle Paul related to the Thessalonian church, 'like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.' Just a few verses after Paul uses the feminine illustration of intimacy, he describes a masculine version when he talks about his father-heart for them as well.
Good fathers and mothers are not threatened by their children but rejoice when their kids surpass them in every way. Healthy parents want their ceiling to be the floor for their children to start from. When we carry a father's heart or a mother's heart for people, we take great delight in their achievements. The idea of competing is completely foreign in this kind of loving relationship.
As a matter of fact, when our kids succeed, we feel like we succeed too because we are deeply connected with them on a heart level. Now think about the thousands of denominations that exist today in Christendom. Consider the competition, divisions, and judgments within the Body of Christ.
I don’t say these things to criticize, but to highlight our Father's desire for genuine unity within His family. My prayer is that as we experience God's 'family love' for us personally, we would begin to see our brothers and sisters differently too.
Ephesians 3:14-15
For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, (WEB)
11 As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory. (WEB)
In yesterday's blog, I discussed how the Apostle Paul related to the Thessalonian church, 'like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.' Just a few verses after Paul uses the feminine illustration of intimacy, he describes a masculine version when he talks about his father-heart for them as well.
Good fathers and mothers are not threatened by their children but rejoice when their kids surpass them in every way. Healthy parents want their ceiling to be the floor for their children to start from. When we carry a father's heart or a mother's heart for people, we take great delight in their achievements. The idea of competing is completely foreign in this kind of loving relationship.
As a matter of fact, when our kids succeed, we feel like we succeed too because we are deeply connected with them on a heart level. Now think about the thousands of denominations that exist today in Christendom. Consider the competition, divisions, and judgments within the Body of Christ.
I don’t say these things to criticize, but to highlight our Father's desire for genuine unity within His family. My prayer is that as we experience God's 'family love' for us personally, we would begin to see our brothers and sisters differently too.
Ephesians 3:14-15
For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, (WEB)