For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own
children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God,
who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
The Apostle Paul is very specific here in defining a fatherly role and gives
three special characteristics of a Christian father. We fathers tend to apply
them in reverse order but Paul states them as:
A. Encouraging
Like children, we are often tempted to give up. When that happens, the real
need is for someone to come along side who can identify with and encourage them
to keep going. A Christian father is one who is always there to give an
encouraging word when needed. And the need is often!
B. Comforting
This reference is to the kind of comfort that helps a child or another person
carry a burden of grief or pain. Just by coming alongside in this concerned way,
the burden is made lighter and the pain is lessened. We were not created to be
alone, especially in grief. The Christian father and disciple maker is also
always there for times of comfort giving.
C. Exhorting
This is the direction and assertiveness characteristic that should be evident
in the father/disciple maker relationship. There are times when the father moves
from the side to stand squarely in front and confront them with something that
they need to face. The dangers in not exercising this responsibility are very
great and should compel us to be diligent toward both our children and our
brothers and sisters in Christ.
J.J. Andrews is an elderly Lutheran pastor friend in Rangoon, Burma—now
Myanmar—with a great father’s heart for ministry. Several years ago his daughter
died of viral hepatitis. Two months later his wife passed away from a broken
heart. Six months after that one of his sons suddenly died. He was crushed. He
said, "I felt like Job, only no one visited me."
A young Filipino staff member of Open Doors heard about this situation. He
made a special trip just to visit Brother J.J. and encourage him. J.J. said,
“Thank you for coming in my darkest hour.”
Some months later, I was visiting Brother J.J. in Rangoon. He had his young
grand-children laughing and playing around his home. He smiled as he shared
unforgettable lessons with me. The words I remember verbatim were, “God rewarded
me for my perseverance and healed my broken heart!” The ministry of
encouragement is straight from the heart of Father God.
RESPONSE: Today I will commit to being an encourager, comforter and
exhorter.
PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Christian fathers who have modelled Your heart
with their children.
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