The Makings Of A Good Dad

THE MAKINGS OF A GOOD DAD

Contrast between TV dads of the 50's and those of today. Back then Dad was portrayed as the leader, the guider; he was admired. Today, dads are portrayed as inept, clueless and irresponsible.

Modern-day TV oftentimes portrays the dad as being more like an additional child than a mature leader. Nowadays it's the mom who is portrayed as the one who holds everything together.

And I know sitcoms are going to exaggerate things for comedic purposes but I think these situations are based in reality because although it's comedy it also has to be believable and relatable. There are too many examples out there of what a good father is not.

There's a saying that goes, "It only takes a few minutes to become a father but it takes a lifetime to be a dad." So let's take a look at what goes into being a good dad.

1) A good dad is mature.

1st Cor. 13:11, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."

I don't know what has happened to the maturity level of dads in today's day and age. I look around and see fathers still acting like kids. I hear about fathers playing video games more than their kids do. I'm not saying it's wrong to play them; especially if you're playing them with your kids but if you're playing video games when you could be doing something with your family or doing something more responsible it's a problem.

I've also seen where a man becomes a father but he still wants to live like he's not. He wants to do all the things he did before he had kids. Hang out with friends all the time or go to the club or the game or play games. Not that the dad has to stop doing these things altogether but dads need to recognize that the dynamic and purpose of their lives needs to change when a baby enters the picture.

It's time to grow-up; it's time to become selfless-your life isn't about you anymore-it's about them. This is true when a man gets married but all the more so when he becomes a father. Being a father should be taken seriously. Unfortunately oftentimes it's not. Guys get a woman pregnant and they keep it moving-shirking their responsibility; all play no pay. Selfishness is immaturity.

If I am going to be a dad who's self-sacrificing, a dad who's involved, a dad who's the leader in my home, a dad who's responsible, a dad who's dependable, a dad who's a good example then I need to be mature.

2) A good dad provides for his children.

1st Tim. 5:8, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

That's a pretty strong statement. "Denied the faith". I have denied what the essence of faith is. We looked at this last week with what James said about the difference between dead and saving faith. And he used the illustration of not providing to show dead faith.

James 2:14-17, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

James is using this to highlight how faith without action is no good just like words without action does the one who is in need no good. However, providing for needs is indicative of the love of Christ being in me.

1st John 3:17-18, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

If this is how we are to treat our fellow Christian how much more so should we be doing this for our own family? And we see in 1st Tim. 5:8 it says if we don't we're worse than an unbeliever. How?

Because typically an unbelieving father knows it's important to provide for his kids. You don't have to be a Christian to be compelled to take care of your family. Although there are plenty of fathers out there who aren't doing that, there are plenty who are but they're not living for Jesus.