To Sire Is Human, to Father Is Divine

Any normal male above a certain biological age is capable of offspring. Such organic functionality requires no foresight, no wisdom, and no responsibility. This is that which I speak of when I say, “to sire.” Impulse, passion, inordinate desire, unfortunately, can be the sole catalyst to produce newborns. This is where the human race has run into trouble. Human relationships suffer unspeakable tragedy and emptiness due to this inherent natural ability left to itself. The wise King Solomon observed among the “simple” a young man who was led into a trap by his unfettered desire to sire. This cost him dearly, because, as the scripture says, it caused “a dart to strike through his liver.” He obliviously and foolishly ignored the fact that it will ultimately “cost him his life” (Prov 7:23).

What is a man to do in such a culture of absentee fathers, broken homes, and failed marriages due to the selfishness of altogether too many men who carelessly sire? Is this a fact that we must live with and simply get used to? I say, by God’s grace, no!

The antidote, the solution, has been provided through the pristine example of the fatherhood of Almighty God. There is no manner nor degree of ideal fatherhood which He fails to put on display. God is the ultimate Father. His fatherhood is that which every human father should strive to follow.

Notice the compelling evidence in the Bible that presents a clear picture of the fatherhood of God:

 Love.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God

Empowerment.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Fellowship.

1 John 1:3 … truly our fellowship is with the Father.

Compassion.

Psalms 103:13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Advocacy.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

What God is looking for today in every father is a desire to emulate His fatherhood. Fruitfulness and multiplication as commanded of the human race at the beginning of the Bible demands fatherhood that seeks to conform to the divine example. It can be done! Let us wake up and pay attention to the guidelines taught by and lived out in the many wonderful fathers at CAC.

Happy Father’s Day, all you Dads! Please be challenged today: To sire is human, to father is divine! May every child, offspring, and family member of my reading audience today look up to each of you as a highly responsible and deeply committed man–focused on truly representing godliness as a father made in the image of God.