A Good Father

1 Peter 1:17-19 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
 
WHEN a family has no structure – no rules to follow, no consequences for bad behavior, no responsibility for one another – chaos results. Children grow up physically but not emotionally. They do not learn to relate to others or care about their siblings, friends and world around them. They are self-focused, desiring only what pleases them. Undisciplined children become wayward adults with no foundation for a purposeful life. Too many families like that can destroy a culture, a church and even a nation.
   That’s why we need to be attentive to Peter’s words. God is love. God is lawgiver and forgiver. God is Father. When Peter says God is a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, you can be comforted God’s will is to nurture his children into mature, loving and disciplined relationships with him and one another. The Almighty tells you what is right, disciplines your sins and rewards your obedience.
   In God’s family we must live as strangers here in reverent fear. Again this speaks to being holy, living as strangers from sin’s way. Reverent fear is healthy respect for the omnipotent God. As his children we must embrace his rules, warnings and judgments. He is not a casual father who will allow wrong to rule in his house. One way we love God is to love and respect our brothers and sisters in his family. Freedom in God is not doing what we want but doing what God commands for the good of all. He judges us all impartially, so we must be alert to know God’s rules and happily obey them.
   After all, God has not purchased our souls with temporary money. But we are his by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. The eternal Jesus has paid for our imperfections. The Father has given all, so you would be his child.
   If you are a father, how is your discipline? Do you teach rules? Do you love your children enough to judge their disobedience? Do they know you will be impartial with all your children?
   If you do, they know you love them.