I recently finished re-reading through the letter to the Ephesians. In this amazing part of scripture, the Holy Spirit through Paul records something very interesting... after instructing all children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3) Paul then instructs all FATHERS with the following:
"Fathers do not provoke your children to anger BUT bring them up in
the discipline and instruction of the Lord" Ephesians 6:4
Although Paul could have easily commanded that both of the parents that he just mentioned bring up their kids in Christ, Paul specifically commands Fathers to do so and why is that? At work anything that goes wrong is my fault. Even if I'm not there even if I had nothing to do with it, it's my fault. And why is that? Because that's my job and I'm accountable to my employers for everything. This rule applies to Fathers as well without question. Although both the husband and wife should be working together to raise their children in the fear of the Lord and the love of Christ scripture is clear that just like I am at work...ultimately the father is the one who will be held accountable for this weighty responsibility that has been entrusted to him. Can and should moms train up their kids also? Absolutely! Should a mom step up when dad is not a believer or when the believing dad like Adam sits by passively and does not engage in his God given task of making disciples of those within his own home? Absolutely! BUT... regardless of what mom's role is in all this, as a father of five young men I KNOW that God will hold ME accountable to raise up our boys "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." For this impossible and weighty task I ask the Spirit of Christ to fill me with His love, patience, power, disciple and self-control daily so that I can accomplish this task in HIS POWER not in my own because the more I rely on myself the more I realize how impossible this task is.
Do I do it perfectly... absolutely not. Have I and do I continue to make mistakes? Absolutely. All the time. Do I have countless regrets about the past about this? Absolutely. BUT this is my task and I do not take it lightly. I pray that more and more men will step into their God'given roles as FATHERS instead of just being boys that shave, work hard and show up at church once a week if at all. And why is this so important? Because the survival of our society hangs in the balance. Because human souls hang in the balance. Because this is a role that God has entrusted to us... as Fathers... to bring up our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord... especially... when they're teenagers!!!
Lord help me raise Your boys. I ask this for the sake and glory of Jesus name. Amen.
