The Father of Fathers
As much of the world celebrates “Father’s Day”, it is appalling how many forget God, the first “Father”. Believe it or not, what is known as Father’s Day has a long history, much of which is couched in denominationalism. The Eastern Orthodox church, centuries ago, appointed the 2nd Sunday before “nativity”, (the supposed date of the birth of Christ), as the “Sunday of the Forefathers” to commemorate the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, starting with Adam and emphasizing the patriarch Abraham, to whom God said: in Gen. 22:18a: “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed”. This “seed” is Christ. It is sad that many fail to obey the gospel to become recipients of the ‘spiritual blessings’, which are only “in Christ”.
We also know Gen. 1:27 teaches the creation of man. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Man was made a living soul = a spiritual being. However, we can see the physical picture in Luke 3:38 at the conclusion of the genealogy of Christ. Here we see the ‘kinship’ of the created man to God, who created him, in addition to the son and grandson of the first man. Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. This inspired record is composed of over seventy five generations. Adam was the ‘created son of God, and Jesus is the “only begotten Son” of God. Unfortunately for the Jews, when the fall of Jerusalem occurred, the official documented evidence whereby they could prove they were descendants of Abraham were utterly destroyed.
Father's Day is a holiday recognized by many as a day of honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. This holiday is observed in various days in one hundred eleven countries. In the U.S., in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, with her five brothers who were raised by their father alone, convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate Father's Day nationwide.
Ironically, this “holiday” (from holy day) directs focus to earthly fathers and largely leaves out the Heavenly Father. There is nothing wrong with ‘honoring’ one’s physical parent as this is a biblical concept. Everyone in this age should be very familiar with Eph. 6:2, which is the New Testament Commandment concerning this. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;). A diligent Bible student will be equally acquainted with the fifth of the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament Law God gave to Israel through the ‘lawgiver’, Moses. It is easily seen that this Commandment had physical benefits for these people if they kept it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Exo. 20:12)
Yet, as was pointed out earlier, God is often forgotten on this holiday. He is “left out” of many folk’s life as they ‘honor’ their earthly fathers. The Hebrew Christians, in the context of chastisement, were provided facts and a question. This question applies in every area of life. The Spirit had the penman write: Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (Heb. 12:9) Are not all to be “subject” to God in all things? From the beginning, God has issued ‘laws’, spoken or written, to instruct, guide and direct man as to how to live.
When God issued a written Law to His people Israel after their delivery from the bondage of Egypt, the first commandment as found in Exo. 20:3 is: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”. Jesus reminded the people of this first Commandment of God during His day in Mark 12:29-30 as He said: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. This “first Commandment” has not changed, nor will it. And, man should not find this, nor any other Commandment of God too hard. 1John 5:3 makes this abundantly clear. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Putting God first is a Commandment that has existed as long as man has and will remain in effect as long as the earth continues.
The question then becomes, how does one “put God first” in all things? First we need to acknowledge that God the Father, God the Spirit, and God the Son, are all God. 1John 5:7 helps us to fully understand this. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. In serving God we serve them all. Jesus tried to help His people Israel see this in Matt 10:37. This should help all see that to ‘honor’ our earthly father (or mother, children, siblings etc.) more than God, Christ or the Holy Spirit is wrong. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
We serve God, the Father of Fathers, The Son and the Spirit as we read, study, meditate on, apply, and participate in the Word of God by doing as it Commands. We are to do so out of love for God and His Word. Sure, honor our earthly fathers. This is pleasing to God. But put God first in all things. To honor earthly fathers or anyone or anything else in preference to the “Father of Fathers” displeases Him. Think about it!
Dennis Strickland, Mooresville church of Christ
