The Characteristics of a Godly Father
Luk 15:21-32 NLT - [21] His son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. ' [22] "But his father said to the servants, `Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began. [25] "Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, [26] and he asked one of the servants what was going on. [27] `Your brother is back,' he was told, `and your father has killed the calf we were fattening and has prepared a great feast. We are celebrating because of his safe return.' [28] "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he replied, `All these years I've worked hard for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the finest calf we have.' [31] "His father said to him, `Look, dear son, you and I are very close, and everything I have is yours. [32] We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!' "
The story of the Prodigal Son illustrates not only the incredible grace Christ pours on sinners, but also the godly love the father has on both his sons. As we look at this story, we see a Father who demonstrates godly characteristics in his life. After all, Jesus uses the father as a model for the Heavenly Father's forgiveness. There are many characteristics we can observe of the father in this story, but I want to point out a few of the most necessary ones.
After hearing his son repent, the father tells his servants to “bring the finest robe in the house and put it on [his son].” He further instructs them to “get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet.” As if that weren't enough, the father's giving extends further when he tells the servants to “kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen.” He asserts with gladness that the family “must celebrate with a feast, for the son of mine was dead and has no returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” We see loving generosity as one of the chief characteristics of the father in these view verses. Fathers must be generous to their children. I can't imagine how much free time my dad has given to take me places, to do activities with me, even when his free time was already severely scarce. The Church is blessed with many such fathers who will give and give, receiving nothing in return. They will do things their children will never even know they have done. In our world today, we need such generosity. Far too many fathers focus on “me” time in this world. They come home, boldly proclaiming they have earned themselves a break from everything and everyone. They often go out carousing, partying, all the while neglecting their duties to their wife and children. The good father recognizes that while a man must take time to himself, he must do it without neglecting the needs of his family. The father of the prodigal son did not come in after working a long day and say, “Wait, son. I've had a hard day at work and have earned myself a few hours of drinking.” He practically ran to his son, thrusting upon him all the gifts and love he could possibly give to his lost son.
The second, most vital characteristic of a godly father demonstrated in this story is love. I do not mean to say love in an abstract sense; the father demonstrates love concretely. His love for his son overwhelms all of his anger, worry, and bitterness over his lost son's lifestyle. His love heals the family's broken relationships. This also occurs further on in the story, where the father corrects his eldest son by explaining his cause for celebration. The lesson out of this is that good fathers love unconditionally and without restraint. Television is littered with stories of broken relationships between fathers and sons who bicker constantly, haven't spoke for many years, and only in dire situations do they realize their love. We need fathers who do not need to reach that point to realize their love. Godly fathers will and do demonstrate a love for their children every day.
I hope our fathers will be a father like the one in this story. Part of the reason the western world is breaking down is precisely because of a lack of godly fathers. Let's put an end to that. Let's raise our children in godliness. Let us nurture them with the love Christ has for us. Then we will see children grow and rise and become godly men and women to conquer a world so desperately in need of Christ. Amen.
Happy Father's Day!
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
An Attitude of Forgiveness
An Attitude of Forgiveness
Gen 50:14-22 NLT - [14] Then Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father's funeral. [15] But now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became afraid. "Now Joseph will pay us back for all the evil we did to him," they said. [16] So they sent this message to Joseph: "Before your father died, he instructed us [17] to say to you: `Forgive your brothers for the great evil they did to you.' So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive us." When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. [18] Then his brothers came and bowed low before him. "We are your slaves," they said. [19] But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? [20] As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. [21] No, don't be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families." And he spoke very kindly to them, reassuring them. [22] So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph was 110 years old when he died.
Biblical forgiveness is one of the foundations of Christianity. Forgiveness between human beings is an extension of God's own forgiveness of our sins. That is why Christ says that, “if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6.15). I have seen people hold grudges until the day that they die. Both parties usually end up miserable: one person because they have learned to feed off and harbor resentment, and the other because they must live with the unforgiveness of their brother or sister.
As Christians, we must put forgiveness into practice. There are fewer greater examples than the incredible act of forgiveness Joseph demonstrates to his brothers. After Joseph's brothers steal his robe, throw him in a pit, and sell him into slavery to the Ishmaelites, Joseph shows compassion by “[taking] care of [his brothers] and [their] families.” Joseph not only forgives his brothers, but sustains them and lives with them for the rest of their lives. What a dramatic display of love!
This story ought to make us realize the keystone to Christian forgiveness: unconditional love. In order for our forgiveness to be unconditional, we must learn to have unconditional love. If we do not, our emotions will steer us to resentment. An unforgiving character can become a security blanket to many people, by which they cling tightly to it whenever they feel they are not getting what they deserve or have been wronged. They may even pass the person they ought to have forgiven on the street and smile inside, thinking, “Serves them right. I'm not ready to forgive them yet. They haven't suffered enough.”
But Christian forgiveness cares not about satisfying our harmed emotions. It is not a pity party by which we can prove we were right and the other party was wrong. Joseph's act of forgiveness does not dwell on his brothers' past wrongdoings. Instead, he says that “God turned into good what [his brothers] meant for evil.” While Joseph's brothers expected him to “pay [them] back for all the evil [they] did to him,” Joseph pays them in love and in mercy.
Beloved, let us live in such an attitude of forgiveness. If you have someone in your life you need to forgive, forgive them. Do not hold any grudges. Life is miserable when we harbor bitterness. Instead, allow the love that ransomed you from sin ransom your brother or sister from their wrongs against you. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Gen 50:14-22 NLT - [14] Then Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father's funeral. [15] But now that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers became afraid. "Now Joseph will pay us back for all the evil we did to him," they said. [16] So they sent this message to Joseph: "Before your father died, he instructed us [17] to say to you: `Forgive your brothers for the great evil they did to you.' So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive us." When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. [18] Then his brothers came and bowed low before him. "We are your slaves," they said. [19] But Joseph told them, "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? [20] As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people. [21] No, don't be afraid. Indeed, I myself will take care of you and your families." And he spoke very kindly to them, reassuring them. [22] So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph was 110 years old when he died.
Biblical forgiveness is one of the foundations of Christianity. Forgiveness between human beings is an extension of God's own forgiveness of our sins. That is why Christ says that, “if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6.15). I have seen people hold grudges until the day that they die. Both parties usually end up miserable: one person because they have learned to feed off and harbor resentment, and the other because they must live with the unforgiveness of their brother or sister.
As Christians, we must put forgiveness into practice. There are fewer greater examples than the incredible act of forgiveness Joseph demonstrates to his brothers. After Joseph's brothers steal his robe, throw him in a pit, and sell him into slavery to the Ishmaelites, Joseph shows compassion by “[taking] care of [his brothers] and [their] families.” Joseph not only forgives his brothers, but sustains them and lives with them for the rest of their lives. What a dramatic display of love!
This story ought to make us realize the keystone to Christian forgiveness: unconditional love. In order for our forgiveness to be unconditional, we must learn to have unconditional love. If we do not, our emotions will steer us to resentment. An unforgiving character can become a security blanket to many people, by which they cling tightly to it whenever they feel they are not getting what they deserve or have been wronged. They may even pass the person they ought to have forgiven on the street and smile inside, thinking, “Serves them right. I'm not ready to forgive them yet. They haven't suffered enough.”
But Christian forgiveness cares not about satisfying our harmed emotions. It is not a pity party by which we can prove we were right and the other party was wrong. Joseph's act of forgiveness does not dwell on his brothers' past wrongdoings. Instead, he says that “God turned into good what [his brothers] meant for evil.” While Joseph's brothers expected him to “pay [them] back for all the evil [they] did to him,” Joseph pays them in love and in mercy.
Beloved, let us live in such an attitude of forgiveness. If you have someone in your life you need to forgive, forgive them. Do not hold any grudges. Life is miserable when we harbor bitterness. Instead, allow the love that ransomed you from sin ransom your brother or sister from their wrongs against you. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
What Have We to Fear?
What Have We to Fear?
Rom 8:28-31 NLT - [28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. [30] And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory. [31] What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
We live in a world driven by fear. Billions of dollars are made each year in newspapers, television, games, and politics by playing on people's fears. Humans are, by our very nature, prone to fear what we do not know or cannot control. But we know that we as Christians are called to be dead to our earthly nature(Galatians 2.20). Fear causes worry, and yet Christ commands us to not worry: "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matt. 6.24). I have seen fear destroy the lives of many people. There are many who are afraid to walk out of their homes for fear of dying.
As Christians, we must learn not to fear. Why? Because "we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Consider this--everything in our lives is woven into God's plan to do good to us. This is a powerful, defiant, and revolutionary way of thinking, especially for the first Century Roman world. The Greeks and Romans believed their lives were ruled by the Fates, who brought both good and bad destinies. Here we see Paul proclaiming something completely different: ALL things work out for the good of God's children. The Scripture goes further to explain that God works this out because He "knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son." God had our lives worked out even before we were born. Don't you think He can save us from any situation we encounter?
Perhaps Paul's most powerful statement in these few short verses is this: "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" I enjoy the New Living Translation's translation because it adds the qualifying adverb "ever." Who can ever be against us? In all of our lives, what can we face that says, "Fear is greater than your God?" Nothing; not even Satan himself. As you go through your day, remember that. Remember to not allow fear to get a grip on you. In these times, remember Christ. Remember that He is holding you close, regardless of your circumstances. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Rom 8:28-31 NLT - [28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. [30] And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory. [31] What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
We live in a world driven by fear. Billions of dollars are made each year in newspapers, television, games, and politics by playing on people's fears. Humans are, by our very nature, prone to fear what we do not know or cannot control. But we know that we as Christians are called to be dead to our earthly nature(Galatians 2.20). Fear causes worry, and yet Christ commands us to not worry: "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today" (Matt. 6.24). I have seen fear destroy the lives of many people. There are many who are afraid to walk out of their homes for fear of dying.
As Christians, we must learn not to fear. Why? Because "we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Consider this--everything in our lives is woven into God's plan to do good to us. This is a powerful, defiant, and revolutionary way of thinking, especially for the first Century Roman world. The Greeks and Romans believed their lives were ruled by the Fates, who brought both good and bad destinies. Here we see Paul proclaiming something completely different: ALL things work out for the good of God's children. The Scripture goes further to explain that God works this out because He "knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son." God had our lives worked out even before we were born. Don't you think He can save us from any situation we encounter?
Perhaps Paul's most powerful statement in these few short verses is this: "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" I enjoy the New Living Translation's translation because it adds the qualifying adverb "ever." Who can ever be against us? In all of our lives, what can we face that says, "Fear is greater than your God?" Nothing; not even Satan himself. As you go through your day, remember that. Remember to not allow fear to get a grip on you. In these times, remember Christ. Remember that He is holding you close, regardless of your circumstances. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
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