How to Love Your Children

If a father, a loving father to my children.

I will love and lead them as Christ loves the Church.

Via The Joshua Commission

    “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

        nor be weary when reproved by him. 

    For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

        and chastises every son whom he receives.”

-Hebrews 12:5-6

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 Ken Titus and the power outlet.

In order to get a grasp of what Christ’s love looks like in practical terms, we must first look at what the term “love” means in the language of the Scripture. Most everyone is familiar with the word “agape” from Bible class. After grappling with the meaning of this term over the years, the best, most accurate definition that I can come up with is the use of the word as a verb. It means to act in the long-term best interest of the object of one’s love. As an example, my father would allow my participation in certain rites of passage with very little regard to whether they were dangerous or not. In many cases, it was more important to him that there was a lesson to be learned, positive or negative. That is not to say that he would allow me to put my life at risk, but there were some close calls… And in the process, I learned a lot… and I knew that I was loved deeply.

Out of love, God confronts us. God challenges us. God comforts us. God gives us warm feelings. God makes us uncomfortable. God gives. God takes away. In essence, this is exactly what God expects from us as fathers in dealing with our own children. Why? Because it’s what’s good. It’s what’s right. It is essential to shaping the lives of our children in a way that glorifies God and builds spiritual character. It’s what real love looks like.

THE KINGDOM MAN’S CREED

I am a Kingdom Man. I am created by God to bear His image. I am a son and viceroy for my Fathers work. I am a warrior, lover, teacher and king.

I am a Kingdom Man. Like Joshua, I will be strong and courageous. I will train my mind and body for the battles to come. I will discipline my heart, eyes and tongue to be steadfast and faithful to the calling on my life.

I am a Kingdom Man. If a husband, I love and serve my wife, if a father, a loving father to my children. I will love and lead them as Christ loves the Church. If a brother, uncle, guardian, mentor or friend, I will give honor in all of my relationships. I will lead, teach, correct and train in the spirit of righteousness.

I am a Kingdom Man. I am called to break down barriers and free others from strongholds. I am a Peace Maker. My armor is Truth, Righteousness, Grace and Humility. I will stand in the gap for my neighbor to defend gospel justice for the marginalized. 

I am a Kingdom Man. God is my provider. He has given me gifts and talents to exemplify Him with the work of my hands. I will work with diligence and excellence. My labor will be honest and its fruits purposeful.

I am a Kingdom Man with a Kingdom vision. Commissioned by Christ. My life is the Father’s. I am intentional. I will grow in my faith, be consistent in my actions and leave a legacy worthy of the race I have run.

I AM a Kingdom Man!