The Characteristics of a Godly Father

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