I used to give a lot of political speeches. The common thread through all of them wasn’t economics, education, health, welfare or justice.
It was FATHERLESSNESS.
Why? Because nothing touched all the issues like fatherlessness did – it all starts in the home.
Back then, the statistics were saying in five-years time, three-quarter Maori infants under the age of 12-months would be fatherless. A bleak picture for those children and their communities.
Not to say all fatherless children are destined to struggle or fall short of their potential. Many don’t. But more do. There’s a power of research that shows the absence of fatherly love, provision, discipline and care is a major factor in negative social trends.
Fatherlessness is in your face. And it is still the big issue because the cornerstone of society is NOT government. It is the home.
But this is not a political rant.
It’s often said that the church is the spiritual barometer of society. That being the case, what do the upward trends in fatherlessness say about the health of the local church? More to the point…
Could the fatherless-factor in society broadly reflect the true spiritual condition of the church?
Said the apostle Paul…
For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel ~ 1 Corinthians 4:15
Clearly, Paul’s paternal instinct was to move saints into sonship, hence the headline question.
Are you fathered in the faith?
Related: FREE eBook: The Spirit of True Sonship – How to serve your father in the faith
You might have a point but is spiritual fathering really relevant to modern christianity i don’t think so. God is our real father and so long as you are in relationship with him that’s what matters most. I haven’t looked at the scripture you have quoted in this context before which is food for thought and I will be interested in more material on this for a group I run.
Spiritual fathering is mainly for baby Christians. Mature Christians are all spiritual fathers and that’s what is lacking. Churches could do a lot more to help fatherless kids because we are all spiritual fathers.
Interesting…. then by your definition the following ‘son’s’ are baby’s, immature in the faith?
Moses was a spiritual father to Joshua and Joshua his spiritual son.
Elijah was a spiritual father to Elisha and Elisha was his spiritual son.
Elisha was a spiritual father to over 100 men and they spiritual sons to him.
Samuel was a spiritual father to King David and David a spiritual son to him.
Jesus was a spiritual father to 12 men….the 12 disciples and they were his apprentices……..spiritual sons.
Are you serious? Timothy and Titus baby Christians? More on this later.
You ask the right question man. Am I spiritual fathered – yes indeed – by an apostle in Orlando. I can see you’re big on this topic and I like it. Keep bringing it man you’ve got solid content.
That’s the plan Jamal. Thanks for the feedback.
Practically if one is to develop spiritually the process from male to man to father is birthed in the church. Are churches holding on to potential fathers, to become spiritual fathers for generations. No doubt, we all need called, spiritual fathers in the church.