By Dean Kelly

Fatherhood is an awesome privilege and responsibility. Frankly, biblical fatherhood is more than biologically having a child. There are untold numbers of children who are here because of a man, but who have no true father. You cannot do a paternity test to find out if someone is a father that God expects, fitting the plan He made for humanity. 

Notice that the scriptures consistently refer to the “Father” in reference to the Holy God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father which is heaven.” The scriptures referring to God as Father illuminates the significance of fathers. Godly fathers have certain biblical and divine precepts to guide them.

* Godly fathers love their wives. God’s plan was for one man to marry one woman, for life, and for children to be born within that relationship (Genesis 1:26-29). Paul said in Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.” Being a godly father begins with being a loving husband.

* Godly fathers love their children. The children of godly fathers are blessed by his love. Godly fathers will care for their children and will also be there for them.

* Godly fathers are the spiritual leaders of their families. Fathers are instructed in Ephesians 6, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). The truly godly father will lead his family to the foot of the cross, and will demonstrate what it means to belong to God.

For those who have been blessed with godly fathers, be thankful. For those who are working every day to be a godly father, may the Lord bless you in those efforts.

To all godly fathers, we say Happy Father’s Day!

Dean Kelly is minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.