After 21 straight years of working out six days a week, I can honestly say that I feel better about myself after a good workout. For me, training in the gym is a great way to reduce stress. I was talking to a friend the other day who had recently visited the doctors office. This person used to be fitness trainer and was in terrific shape. From his external appearance he still looked like he was in top form. However, he told me that he was diagnosed with a stress conditon. Due to family and job responsiblities, he found it quite difficult to get to the gym. As we talked, he reflected on how much better he felt when he was working out. He exhorted me to continue to make my physical conditioning a priority.
I must admit that working out is not always a pleasant activity for me. Sometimes it is painful and sometimes it is mundane. However, because I have been working out consisitently for 21 years, I have disciplined myself to go to the gym even when I don't feel like it. Without exception, even when I don't want to go, I always have a great feeling of peace when I finish my workout. I have noticed the same is true in my walk with God. I don't always feel like reading my Bible, praying or doing the right thing. However, after 12 straight years of being disciplined by God, I have learned to respond to feelings, temptations and trials based on truth. As a result, I have a peace that rests in my soul as his child. Hebrews 12:11 says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace by those who have been trained by it.
This leads my to my third benefit of God's discipline--peace. The Hebrew word for peace is Eirene. It means the absence or end of strife. Such a state of peace is the object of divine and saving promise and is brought about by God's mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin. Peace as a Messianic blessing is a state brought about by the grace and loving mind of God wherein the derangement and distress of life caused by sin are removed. Hence, the message of salvation is called the gospel of peace. It can be the result only of accomplished reconciliation, referring to the new relationship between man and God brought about by the atonement.
We can only have true peace when we recieve Jesus as Lord and Savior and allow Him to remove sin from our lives. As you become a child of God, God disciplines you and punishes you because he loves you. He is after the development of His character inside of you. Just because you believe in Him doesn't mean you are now acting like Him. His discipline works Christlikeness in you. Here is how it works. You pray, "Lord I want to be like you." God answers that prayer by beginning to discipline you through hardship. And for some reason, we forget our prayer and lose sight of how God answers. . Hebrews 12: 5-6 says, "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, (6) because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
After God disciplines you, he draws you back close to Himself. He does not want us to stay distant, disconneted or condemned. I have personally experienced the wisdom of discipline as I have applied it to my children for disobedience or bad attitudes. Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. As I discipline them with the rod, my sons are learning at an early age the truth that disobedience leads to pain. A thrity second sting on the behind is much better than a lifetime of living with a broken, bruised, or hardened heart due to sinful behavior. It also teaches them how to humble themselves and admit when they have behaved wrongly. How different would our society be if we would just admit when we are wrong? Next, it teaches them to ask their father for forgiveness. And without exception, they always get forgiveness and an abundance of mercy and grace. After a time of prayer, I speak words of destiny, instruction and affirmation over them. As I wrap my arms around them and hug them, I tell them with full assurance how much I love them. As they leave the room, they are smiling, laughing, secure and at peace. As Proverbs 6:23 says, "the corrections of discipline are the way of life."
As we become the children of God and receive his discipline, peace is produced in our lives. Another indicator that we are the chidren of God is the ability to make peace. The Hebrew word for peacemaker is Eirenopoios. It means the one who makes peace in others having first received the peace of God in his own heart; not simply one who makes peace between two parties. Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.
Of course, Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. Only Jesus can remove sin from our lives and give us peace. Its amazing that Jesus would use the cross, a instrument of torture, suffering and death, to bring peace to the world. I will conclude with a powerful story of a monk impacted by the cross of Christ, and as a result, spread the peace of God.
In the fourth century, a monk named Telemachus wanted to live his life in pursuit of God, so he lived alone in the desert praying, fasting, and meditating. One day as he prayed, he realized his life was based on a selfish love of God, not selfless. If he were to serve God, he must serve men. He decided to return to the city where there was sin and need.
Telemachus headed for Rome. He arrived at a time when the Roman general, Stillcho, had won a great victory over the Goths. Since Rome was officially Christian, triumph brought people pouring into the churches.
But one pagan practice still lingered in Christian Rome—the gladiator games. While Christians were not thrown to the lions, prisoners of war were cast into the arena to fight and kill each other. Spectators roared with blood lust as the gladiators battled.
Telemachus arrived on the day of the games. Following the noise, he made his way to the arena where 80,000 people had gathered to celebrate. The fights began and Telemachus stood aghast. Men for whom Christ had died were about to kill each other to amuse a supposedly Christian populace.
Telemachus jumped the wall and in a moment stood between two gladiators. For an instant they stopped, but the crowd screamed, “Let the games go on.” So they pushed the old man in monk’s robes aside. Again he came between the gladiators.The crowd hurled stones at him; they urged the gladiators to kill him and get him out of the way. The commander of the games gave the order—a sword flashed and Telemachus lay dead.
Suddenly the crowd hushed silent, shocked that a holy man had been killed. The games ended abruptly that day—and were never resumed. Telemachus, by dying, had ended them. As historian Edward Gibbon observed, “His death was more useful to mankind than his life.” (From an article by Nancy Hardin in "On Target", a publication of Denver Seminary)
May our lives glorify God and spread His peace. Stay tuned for benefit number four.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Sunday, November 20, 2005
The Pleasant Pain of Discipline (Part 2)
When working out, there are certain signs that imply someone is serious about getting in shape. Here are a few signals that indicate to me someone is commited in the gym: hiring a personal trainer, consistency of attendance, intensity of effort (more working than talking), and new workout attire. According to the Bible, there are many indicators that prove we love God and are His children. Some of them include: His Spirit living in us and obedience to His commands (1 John 3:24), loving one another (1 John 4:12), acknowledging Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 4:15), and the fruit we bear (Matthew 7:16-23, John 15:1-8). Another powerful criterion of sonship with God is discipline. Hebrews 12:8 says, "If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Receiving discipline from God, as much as anything else, marks us as true children. It makes sense. There are only two people I discipline on a daily basis. Their names are Josiah and Ethan. And guess what, they are my sons. Hebrews 12:9-10 says, "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it (not true anymore in the 21st century). How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! (10) Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." There are two main reasons I discipline my sons--love and Christlikeness. This leads to the second benefit of discipline--perfection.
Hebrews 12:2 says, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Not only is Jesus the author of our faith, He is also the perfecter of it. I am going to go ahead and say it. I can't take it anymore! I have to get it off my chest! God's goal for us is perfection!!! He expects us to be just like Jesus. 1 John 1:5-6 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we live in him: (6) Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. When we believe this truth, 1 John 3:2-3 tells us how we should respond as the children of God. It says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (3) Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. I will say it again--God expects us to be like Jesus. Go ahead, pick up your stone. I know this sounds blasphemous to much of the body of Christ. But before you throw, let's define perfection and look at some more scriptures.
By perfection, I mean to be complete and mature, to accomplish the goal or purpose. The Greek word for perfect in Colossians 1:28 is teleios. The teleios is one who has attained his moral end, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a person obedient in Christ. When used in a moral sense, referring to God's expectation of us, completely blameless. In James 1:4, "that you may be perfect" means that you may not be morally lacking. In Hebrews 12:2 the word for perfecter is teleiotes meaning what achieves its goal. A completer, perfecter, one who brings something through to the goal so as to win and receive the prize. What an awesome truth that the devil does not want us to understand. This truth is Jesus!!! The perfect sacrifice for our sins. The perfect person to give us his spirit and a new nature. And Jesus is the perfecter of our faith here on earth. Because he lives in us, should we be anything less than perfect? Hold on, don't throw yet, I still have more scripture.
1 John 3:7,9 says, "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. (9) No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. Do we have to sin? Is Christ's redemption and reconciliation for man on the cross final? Don't we have a new nature when we are born again? Apostle Paul had a certain desire for the saints of God at both Colosse and Corinth. In Colossians 1:28 he wrote, "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 13:11, as part of his final greetings, he exhorts the church to aim for perfection. Why would Apostle Paul have such a high expectation if it were not possible? Perfection is possible in and through Jesus. I trust you have put down your stone and not shut off your computer.
Here is a great illustration on how perfection and righteous behavior is a normal expectation of life. Author Max Lucado writes: All of us occasionally do what is right. A few predominately do what is right. But do any of us always do what is right? According to Paul we don't. "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10, NKJV).Some may beg to differ. "I'm not perfect, Max, but I'm better than most folks. I've led a good life. I don't break the rules. I don't break hearts. I help people. I like people. Compared to others, I think I could say I'm a righteous person." I used to try that on my mother. She'd tell me that my room wasn't clean, and I'd ask her to go with me to my brother's room. His was always messier than mine. "See, my room is clean; just look at his."
It never worked. She'd walk me down the hall to her room. When it came to tidy rooms, my mom was righteous. Her closet was just right. Her bed was just right. Her bathroom was just right. Compared to hers, my room was, well, just wrong. She would show me her room and say, "This is what I mean by clean." God does the same. He points to himself and says, "This is what I mean by righteousness." May we continue to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and in doing so become just like Him. Stay tuned for part three on the discipline of God.
Receiving discipline from God, as much as anything else, marks us as true children. It makes sense. There are only two people I discipline on a daily basis. Their names are Josiah and Ethan. And guess what, they are my sons. Hebrews 12:9-10 says, "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it (not true anymore in the 21st century). How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! (10) Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." There are two main reasons I discipline my sons--love and Christlikeness. This leads to the second benefit of discipline--perfection.
Hebrews 12:2 says, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Not only is Jesus the author of our faith, He is also the perfecter of it. I am going to go ahead and say it. I can't take it anymore! I have to get it off my chest! God's goal for us is perfection!!! He expects us to be just like Jesus. 1 John 1:5-6 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we live in him: (6) Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. When we believe this truth, 1 John 3:2-3 tells us how we should respond as the children of God. It says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (3) Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. I will say it again--God expects us to be like Jesus. Go ahead, pick up your stone. I know this sounds blasphemous to much of the body of Christ. But before you throw, let's define perfection and look at some more scriptures.
By perfection, I mean to be complete and mature, to accomplish the goal or purpose. The Greek word for perfect in Colossians 1:28 is teleios. The teleios is one who has attained his moral end, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a person obedient in Christ. When used in a moral sense, referring to God's expectation of us, completely blameless. In James 1:4, "that you may be perfect" means that you may not be morally lacking. In Hebrews 12:2 the word for perfecter is teleiotes meaning what achieves its goal. A completer, perfecter, one who brings something through to the goal so as to win and receive the prize. What an awesome truth that the devil does not want us to understand. This truth is Jesus!!! The perfect sacrifice for our sins. The perfect person to give us his spirit and a new nature. And Jesus is the perfecter of our faith here on earth. Because he lives in us, should we be anything less than perfect? Hold on, don't throw yet, I still have more scripture.
1 John 3:7,9 says, "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. (9) No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. Do we have to sin? Is Christ's redemption and reconciliation for man on the cross final? Don't we have a new nature when we are born again? Apostle Paul had a certain desire for the saints of God at both Colosse and Corinth. In Colossians 1:28 he wrote, "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 13:11, as part of his final greetings, he exhorts the church to aim for perfection. Why would Apostle Paul have such a high expectation if it were not possible? Perfection is possible in and through Jesus. I trust you have put down your stone and not shut off your computer.
Here is a great illustration on how perfection and righteous behavior is a normal expectation of life. Author Max Lucado writes: All of us occasionally do what is right. A few predominately do what is right. But do any of us always do what is right? According to Paul we don't. "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10, NKJV).Some may beg to differ. "I'm not perfect, Max, but I'm better than most folks. I've led a good life. I don't break the rules. I don't break hearts. I help people. I like people. Compared to others, I think I could say I'm a righteous person." I used to try that on my mother. She'd tell me that my room wasn't clean, and I'd ask her to go with me to my brother's room. His was always messier than mine. "See, my room is clean; just look at his."
It never worked. She'd walk me down the hall to her room. When it came to tidy rooms, my mom was righteous. Her closet was just right. Her bed was just right. Her bathroom was just right. Compared to hers, my room was, well, just wrong. She would show me her room and say, "This is what I mean by clean." God does the same. He points to himself and says, "This is what I mean by righteousness." May we continue to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and in doing so become just like Him. Stay tuned for part three on the discipline of God.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The Pleasant Pain of Discipline (Part 1)
While rushing through my circuit workout on Wednesday, another gentlemen lifting weights in a hurry, commented on how he enjoyed working out during the times when the gym contained less people. As we looked around, there was no more than ten people working out in the 10,000 sqare foot weightroom of a facility that has over 7,000 members. It could be argued that it was just a slow time of the day for gym activity, however, I think there is another reason.
After five years of working out at this particular facility, I have noticed a certain trend. Near the end of the year, the attendance in the gym begins to decrease. In the first three months of the year, the gym is constantly crowded. In January, I remember one of the sales personnel commenting on the number of people who join the gym as a "New Year's Resolution". At the beginning of the year they seem so dedicated, but by the end of the year they are no where to be found. I believe I know what the reason is--it is a lack of discipline.
As I thought about the lack of consistency and commitment to follow through on a New Year's Resolution, it reminded me of how many people act the same way in regards to their faith. Many people respond to an altar call or go to confession with the intent to dedicate their lives to God's will. Unfortunately, as in the case of so many who join a gym, these people do not follow through on their commitment.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This passage of scripture reveals to us that the life a faith is much like running a race. And this race is not a sprint, it is more like an Iron Man contest. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Apostle Paul exhorts us to run this race (of faith) in such a way to win the prize. This is no stroll in the park! To be successful, it takes an all-out effort. Why do people quit working out in the gym? Why do people quit on God? For the same reason--they lack discipline!
Many people lack discipline because they were never received proper discipline. Its interesting to note that Hebrews 12 follows the great chapter of faith. The arrangement of chapters in the Book of Hebrews are reminding us of something so important. If you are going to live a life of faith, you must be a disciplined person. Referencing Hebrews 12:1-11, I would like to point out four benefits of receiving discipline.
The first benefit of discipline is perseverance. Hebrews 10:36 says, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." An article in World Magazine titled, "Uphill all the way", Joel Belz reminds us of what kind of race we have entered. He says, "If you know in advance that the whole course of the marathon is uphill, it's a lot less discouraging when you round the next curve and find right there in front of you--another hill! What really saps you is to hope for a gentle downhill grade and then discover the opposite. Christians are people who know that by definition it's uphill all the way. If God grants a respite now and then, that's a bonus. But it isn't what we should expect." "In the world you will have tribulation," Jesus taught his disciples. "Jesus Himself never had it any better. He never had guaranteed seasons of relaxation where things tended to go His way. Why should we?"
Belz goes on to say, "But no one should equate this outlook with mere pessismism, or just posturing yourself to expect the worst. It isn't even something so meager as realism. This is, to the contrary, genuine optimism. Rooted in the confidence of knowing the terrain is a worldview altogether ready for the grueling grade. It remembers a whole string of promises as it sizes up the steep mountain road." "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "You shall walk and not be weary; you shall run and not be faint." "In the world you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world." "And then it renews the uphill assault."
What a great article to remind us that this life of faith is a fight to advance the Kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Apostle Paul describes his disciplined training by saying, "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (27) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." We are in a battle with an enemy who seeks the bring total destruction and death to our society. Until Christ comes back, we are engaged in an "uphill" assault to see the prisoners freed from the devil's bondage. The question is how well will we fight? Will we die on the climb or will we advance in victory? At the end of his life Apostle Paul says will full assurance in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Like Apostle Paul, as we receive God's discipline, we too can have the confidence of knowing that we can persevere in the race and fight the good fight of faith. Stay tuned for benefit number two.
After five years of working out at this particular facility, I have noticed a certain trend. Near the end of the year, the attendance in the gym begins to decrease. In the first three months of the year, the gym is constantly crowded. In January, I remember one of the sales personnel commenting on the number of people who join the gym as a "New Year's Resolution". At the beginning of the year they seem so dedicated, but by the end of the year they are no where to be found. I believe I know what the reason is--it is a lack of discipline.
As I thought about the lack of consistency and commitment to follow through on a New Year's Resolution, it reminded me of how many people act the same way in regards to their faith. Many people respond to an altar call or go to confession with the intent to dedicate their lives to God's will. Unfortunately, as in the case of so many who join a gym, these people do not follow through on their commitment.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." This passage of scripture reveals to us that the life a faith is much like running a race. And this race is not a sprint, it is more like an Iron Man contest. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Apostle Paul exhorts us to run this race (of faith) in such a way to win the prize. This is no stroll in the park! To be successful, it takes an all-out effort. Why do people quit working out in the gym? Why do people quit on God? For the same reason--they lack discipline!
Many people lack discipline because they were never received proper discipline. Its interesting to note that Hebrews 12 follows the great chapter of faith. The arrangement of chapters in the Book of Hebrews are reminding us of something so important. If you are going to live a life of faith, you must be a disciplined person. Referencing Hebrews 12:1-11, I would like to point out four benefits of receiving discipline.
The first benefit of discipline is perseverance. Hebrews 10:36 says, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." An article in World Magazine titled, "Uphill all the way", Joel Belz reminds us of what kind of race we have entered. He says, "If you know in advance that the whole course of the marathon is uphill, it's a lot less discouraging when you round the next curve and find right there in front of you--another hill! What really saps you is to hope for a gentle downhill grade and then discover the opposite. Christians are people who know that by definition it's uphill all the way. If God grants a respite now and then, that's a bonus. But it isn't what we should expect." "In the world you will have tribulation," Jesus taught his disciples. "Jesus Himself never had it any better. He never had guaranteed seasons of relaxation where things tended to go His way. Why should we?"
Belz goes on to say, "But no one should equate this outlook with mere pessismism, or just posturing yourself to expect the worst. It isn't even something so meager as realism. This is, to the contrary, genuine optimism. Rooted in the confidence of knowing the terrain is a worldview altogether ready for the grueling grade. It remembers a whole string of promises as it sizes up the steep mountain road." "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "You shall walk and not be weary; you shall run and not be faint." "In the world you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world." "And then it renews the uphill assault."
What a great article to remind us that this life of faith is a fight to advance the Kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Apostle Paul describes his disciplined training by saying, "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. (27) No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." We are in a battle with an enemy who seeks the bring total destruction and death to our society. Until Christ comes back, we are engaged in an "uphill" assault to see the prisoners freed from the devil's bondage. The question is how well will we fight? Will we die on the climb or will we advance in victory? At the end of his life Apostle Paul says will full assurance in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Like Apostle Paul, as we receive God's discipline, we too can have the confidence of knowing that we can persevere in the race and fight the good fight of faith. Stay tuned for benefit number two.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Fatherless America: Rediscovering Our Greatest Revelation
Our greatest revelation of God is discovered in Jesus. Hebrews 1:3 says, "The Son (Jesus) is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being." Jesus as the Son of God came into this world to reveal to us that God is our Father (John 17:5-6). The meaning of our life stems from our relationship with God and with Jesus. Because God is a Father, this means He is relational. A father cannot be defined alone. To be a father is to be a father of someone. Our activities in life should be an extension of our relationship with God as our Father.
After riding the bike in the gym one day last week, I entered into a conversation with a gentlemen who was getting ready to start running on the track. I had just recently discovered that he was going through a divorce. As you can imagine, many things were discussed during this moment as he reflected back on his life and marriage experience. One point I took note of in our conversation was the fact that his father had died when he was five years old. Because of his wanton and drunken behavior, his father lost many years of his life. Sadly as he talked, he mentioned the only thing he learned from his father was not to be like him. As we ended our conversation, I headed to the locker room pondering this thought-- if this gentlemen had been properly fathered, would his marriage ended in divorce?
It is frightening to think about the devastating effects fatherlessness has had on America. Malachi 4:6 tells us that when the hearts of the fathers are turned away from their children, and as a result the hearts of the children are turned away from the fathers, our land will be cursed. The absence of paternal transmission contributes to a decline of character and competence in our children. Without fathers, boys become less masculine and girls less feminine. When fathers are absent, boys are more prone to violence and girls are more susceptible to sexual promiscuity. The primary result is boys with more guns and girls with more illegitimate babies.
In the November 7th issue of ESPN magazine, Sheryl Swoopes of the Houston Comets is featured in an article titled, "Outside the Arc." The article talks about how this recent Most Valuable Player of the Womens National Basketball Association has discovered that she is a lesbian. On page 120, she makes an interesting and revealing comment about her relationship with her father. She describes her relationship with her father as non-existent saying, "My father was never around--I never met him." Many studies confirm that girls who grow up without fathers are at a much greater risk for early sexual activity, adolescent childbearing, divorce and lack of sexual identity. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul teaches that the final downfall of a society is when natural relations are exchanged for unnatural ones. God help us.
In Fatherless America, David Blankenhorn addresses our most pressing social problem. He says, "The most urgent domestic challenge facing the United States at the close of the 21st century is the re-creation of fatherhood as a vital social role for men. At state is nothing less than the success of the American experiment. For unless we reverse the trend of fatherlessness, no other set of accomplishments--not economic growth or prison construction or welfare reform or better schools--will succeed in arresting the decline of child well-being and the spread of male violence. To tolerate the trend of fatherlessness is to accept the inevitability of continued societal recession."
Because of the importance of the father to the benefit of society, it is the position most attacked by the devil. The devil knows that if he can destroy the father, he can eradicate the greatest revelation of God. Unfortunately, a majority of men have been captured in his destructive plan by participating in immorality, greed and impurity. As a result, they have abandoned their children. In 1990, more than 36 percent of all children in the nation were living apart from their fathers--more than double the rate in 1960. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. Indeed, it seems quite probable that, as of 1994, fully 40 percent of all children in the nation did not live with their fathers. Scholars estimate that, before they reach age eighteen, more than half of all children in the nation will live apart from their fathers for at least a significant portion of their childhoods (Fatherless America)
Our greatest revelation of God as a father is profound. The essence of fatherhood is simple. A father for every child born. But in our society, few ideas could be more radical. Embracing the fatherhood idea would require a fundamental shift in cultural values and in parental behavior. No other change in American family life could produce such dramatic improvement in child and societal well being. I pray the hearts of the fathers will return to their children. If so, once again America will live as a nation blessed by God.
After riding the bike in the gym one day last week, I entered into a conversation with a gentlemen who was getting ready to start running on the track. I had just recently discovered that he was going through a divorce. As you can imagine, many things were discussed during this moment as he reflected back on his life and marriage experience. One point I took note of in our conversation was the fact that his father had died when he was five years old. Because of his wanton and drunken behavior, his father lost many years of his life. Sadly as he talked, he mentioned the only thing he learned from his father was not to be like him. As we ended our conversation, I headed to the locker room pondering this thought-- if this gentlemen had been properly fathered, would his marriage ended in divorce?
It is frightening to think about the devastating effects fatherlessness has had on America. Malachi 4:6 tells us that when the hearts of the fathers are turned away from their children, and as a result the hearts of the children are turned away from the fathers, our land will be cursed. The absence of paternal transmission contributes to a decline of character and competence in our children. Without fathers, boys become less masculine and girls less feminine. When fathers are absent, boys are more prone to violence and girls are more susceptible to sexual promiscuity. The primary result is boys with more guns and girls with more illegitimate babies.
In the November 7th issue of ESPN magazine, Sheryl Swoopes of the Houston Comets is featured in an article titled, "Outside the Arc." The article talks about how this recent Most Valuable Player of the Womens National Basketball Association has discovered that she is a lesbian. On page 120, she makes an interesting and revealing comment about her relationship with her father. She describes her relationship with her father as non-existent saying, "My father was never around--I never met him." Many studies confirm that girls who grow up without fathers are at a much greater risk for early sexual activity, adolescent childbearing, divorce and lack of sexual identity. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul teaches that the final downfall of a society is when natural relations are exchanged for unnatural ones. God help us.
In Fatherless America, David Blankenhorn addresses our most pressing social problem. He says, "The most urgent domestic challenge facing the United States at the close of the 21st century is the re-creation of fatherhood as a vital social role for men. At state is nothing less than the success of the American experiment. For unless we reverse the trend of fatherlessness, no other set of accomplishments--not economic growth or prison construction or welfare reform or better schools--will succeed in arresting the decline of child well-being and the spread of male violence. To tolerate the trend of fatherlessness is to accept the inevitability of continued societal recession."
Because of the importance of the father to the benefit of society, it is the position most attacked by the devil. The devil knows that if he can destroy the father, he can eradicate the greatest revelation of God. Unfortunately, a majority of men have been captured in his destructive plan by participating in immorality, greed and impurity. As a result, they have abandoned their children. In 1990, more than 36 percent of all children in the nation were living apart from their fathers--more than double the rate in 1960. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. Indeed, it seems quite probable that, as of 1994, fully 40 percent of all children in the nation did not live with their fathers. Scholars estimate that, before they reach age eighteen, more than half of all children in the nation will live apart from their fathers for at least a significant portion of their childhoods (Fatherless America)
Our greatest revelation of God as a father is profound. The essence of fatherhood is simple. A father for every child born. But in our society, few ideas could be more radical. Embracing the fatherhood idea would require a fundamental shift in cultural values and in parental behavior. No other change in American family life could produce such dramatic improvement in child and societal well being. I pray the hearts of the fathers will return to their children. If so, once again America will live as a nation blessed by God.
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