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THE HALLMARK OF TRUE FATHERHOOD

"For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." (1 Corinthians 4:15 KJV)

Yesterday we saw that Apostle Paul declared unto the Corinthian Church that though they have ten thousand instructors they do not have many fathers, for he through the gospel has given birth onto them. Hallelujah!

We saw that by looking at this scripture superficially we will say that Apostle Paul meant that a spiritual father is merely one that gives birth to another by the gospel. In other words one that leads another to Christ.

But by looking critically at the same scripture and comparing it to other scriptures, we discover that what Apostle Paul meant by being a father unto the members of the Corinthian church goes far beyond merely leading them to Christ.

Now first of all know that Apostle Paul did not just lead the members to Christ and left them. He still nurtured them, and ensured their growth both while he was with them and even when he was far away from them. Thus his claim of fatherhood over them was not merely because he had gotten them born again, but that he was actually nurturing them as a father nurtures the child for him to grow into maturity. And as he declared unto them, this was why he sent Timothy unto them even while he was away to ensure this nurturing or growth process (1 Corinthians 4:16-17).

Thus, a broader understanding of this scripture reveals that a spiritual father is not merely one that leads you to Christ. But the one that God appoints to raise you into full sonship. A person may lead you to Christ, but if God has not appointed him to lead you into full sonship the person may still be an instructor in your life and not a father per se. And just as we have in the natural, not everybody that gives birth has what it takes to raise a son. Every potent male has what it takes to give birth, but only potent fathers have what it takes to raise sons. And so the hallmark of true fatherhood is in the ability to raise sons and not merely the ability to give birth. Glory to God! Hallelujah!

Prayer/Declaration
Heavenly Father, I thank You, for the understanding that You have given me into the hallmark of true fatherhood. I declare that I'm blest by the ministry of my father in my life in Jesus name. Amen!

Further Study: 1 Corinthians 4:15-17
1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Isaiah 30, 31; Romans 2