One Father: Part 1

By Clifton Angel     There is "One ... Father" (Ephesians 4:6). Spiritual unity can only be obtained by submitting ourselves to the will of the One Father of Heaven (Matthew 7:21). Sadly, many call Jesus their Lord but do not do the Father's will.     Some claim Jesus as their Lord but follow the will of their earthly father. Obedience to parents is a command from God (Ephesians 6:1). Family allegiance is natural and important. However, when a person places their earthly father's will above their Heavenly Father's will, God is not obeyed and God is not pleased. Many do this by choosing a church because their family went there, instead of it being a choice based upon Biblical conviction. Many do this by avoiding the church because their family never went to church. Many do this by refusing the truth, because it would mean their family before them was wrong. Earthly fathers are important and needed; yet, they are not to be placed above our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37).     Some claim Jesus as their Lord but follow a spiritual father upon this earth. Spiritual leadership is so important. Growing Christians need guidance and support, like that which Paul provided Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2). Sadly many leaders are leading their "sons" in a faith which is not God's. One of the most explicit examples would be Catholicism. For, the adherents even call their spiritual leaders "father." Unfortunately, they may be the closest thing to a modern-day sect of Pharisees. Jesus said of the Pharisees, "all their works they do for to be seen of men" (Matthew 23:5). It is apparent that they taught their followers to refer to them as "fathers," for Jesus plainly rebuked them: "call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" (Matthew 23:9). Others in the religious world have spiritual "fathers," whom they may not refer to as father, that lead them contrary to the will of our Heavenly Father. Oftentimes, they refer to them as "my pastor," or "my preacher." If ever a spiritual "father" is made one's sole authority for what one believes, said follower is in tremendous danger.

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/