By Bill Brandstatter
As I think of Father’s Day, I think of my father. He has now left this world, but I learn more about his wisdom every day. We all honor our dads on Father’s Day. There are various honors that fathers receive, but perhaps the greatest is respect.
The writer of Hebrews tells of the respect of our earthly fathers and connects it to respecting our heavenly Father. The writer states, “We have had human fathers who corrected us and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (NKJV) One way of showing respect is the way we speak to or about our father.
I would not think of calling my earthly father by his first name. Even though I am a lot older, when my dad was living, I still showed him respect. Likewise, we should show our heavenly Father respect. Jesus gives us an example of the respect for God. He stated that when we pray, we should address the prayer to the Father. Jesus illustrated by stating, “Our Father in heaven...” (Matt. 6:9) God is not “daddy.” God deserves respect and honor. The Psalmist says “holy and reverend is his name.” (Psa. 111:9 KJV). Our Lord tells us that no earthly person should be addressed in a religious manner by using the term “father”. Jesus asserted, “Do not call anyone on earth your Father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Matt. 23:9) God deserves special respect and honor; therefore, as a preacher, I wear no religious title. I would not dare to have anyone call me father in a religious sense. That term is reserved for God Almighty.
Let us honor him on this special day as well by obeying Him and showing our respect and love for Him. When Jesus addressed the Father, after saying, “Our Father in Heaven,” He then said, “Hallowed be Your name.” (Mt. 6:9) God’s name is to be respected, honored, and held as something special. God is special. His love transcends our thinking. His mercy is beyond our comprehension. His grace is great. He sent His son to die for us that we could have eternal life. (John 3:16) Let us honor our heavenly Father every day we live by obeying Him and living for Him. (Matt.7:21; Titus 2:11,12)
As I think of Father’s Day, I think of my father. He has now left this world, but I learn more about his wisdom every day. We all honor our dads on Father’s Day. There are various honors that fathers receive, but perhaps the greatest is respect.
The writer of Hebrews tells of the respect of our earthly fathers and connects it to respecting our heavenly Father. The writer states, “We have had human fathers who corrected us and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (NKJV) One way of showing respect is the way we speak to or about our father.
I would not think of calling my earthly father by his first name. Even though I am a lot older, when my dad was living, I still showed him respect. Likewise, we should show our heavenly Father respect. Jesus gives us an example of the respect for God. He stated that when we pray, we should address the prayer to the Father. Jesus illustrated by stating, “Our Father in heaven...” (Matt. 6:9) God is not “daddy.” God deserves respect and honor. The Psalmist says “holy and reverend is his name.” (Psa. 111:9 KJV). Our Lord tells us that no earthly person should be addressed in a religious manner by using the term “father”. Jesus asserted, “Do not call anyone on earth your Father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Matt. 23:9) God deserves special respect and honor; therefore, as a preacher, I wear no religious title. I would not dare to have anyone call me father in a religious sense. That term is reserved for God Almighty.
Let us honor him on this special day as well by obeying Him and showing our respect and love for Him. When Jesus addressed the Father, after saying, “Our Father in Heaven,” He then said, “Hallowed be Your name.” (Mt. 6:9) God’s name is to be respected, honored, and held as something special. God is special. His love transcends our thinking. His mercy is beyond our comprehension. His grace is great. He sent His son to die for us that we could have eternal life. (John 3:16) Let us honor our heavenly Father every day we live by obeying Him and living for Him. (Matt.7:21; Titus 2:11,12)
- Bill
Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in
Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/
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