HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE YOU?

Dearly Beloved, HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE YOU? "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8 NIV). In many part of the world, the Fathers' Day celebration for this year will be celebrated this week. While I congratulate all fathers throughout the world, I want to ask each one of us that is a father how responsible we are as fathers. Modern civilization has made many fathers to shun their responsibilities as fathers. Some of such fathers want to have children, but they are not ready to play the fatherly roles in the lives of the children. Some of them do not have the time for their children. The children cannot feel the impacts of such fathers in their lives. Some of such fathers do not want children, but they do not care impregnating careless women. Infidelity to marriage vows in the lives many fathers has been another cause of this. Misplaced priorities may cause this also. Whatever the cause may be, are you as a father responsible? The Bible is full of how a father can be responsible and take care of his children. He is to instruct them (Proverbs 1:8; 22:6). He is to command them (Proverbs 6:20). He is to guide, encourage, and warn them (Jeremiah 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:11). He is to restrain them in doing nefarious things (1 Samuel 3:13). He is to punish them (Deuteronomy 21:18; Proverbs 23:13-14; 29:17; Hebrews 12:9-11). He is to be considerate of their needs and requests (Matthew 7:10). He should not provoke them, but instead bring them up in God's way (Ephesians 6:4). He is to provide for their needs (1 Timothy 5:8). How responsible are you as a father? Do you care for your children? Are they feeling your fatherly impacts in their lives? An earthly father is the best representation of our heavenly Father. How are you representing God in the lives of your children? Happy Fathers' Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: While I dedicate this message to responsible fathers worldwide, pray that as God remembered Abraham, Manoah, and Zechariah in the Bible, He will remember the waiting fathers who long to express their fatherly responsibilities to their own children also.