All Men Can Be Fathers

I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.

1 Timothy 1:2

THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS not a father, but he had many spiritual children. Both Timothy and Titus were led to Christ by Paul, and he affectionately referred to both of them by the term “my true son.” One of Paul’s “true sons” was a man named Onesimus, a runaway slave who was the main subject of the epistle to Philemon. Paul’s love for Onesimus was captured in these words: “[I], Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus . . . appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart” (Philemon 1:9-12).

Whether or not you have children of your own, you can be a spiritual father. If God uses you to lead another person to faith in Christ, you have played a role in birthing a new life into the church. Many men long for a father/son relationship but are childless or even estranged from their own kids. Whether you lead someone to Christ or play a mentoring role to a new believer, rich and rewarding relationships can be found in the family of God.

If you long to be a spiritual father, pray for God to fulfill that dream, and begin to actively look for opportunities. A lot of young men are desperate for some guidance and encouragement from an older, more mature Christian man. You can be an answer to prayer.

BOTTOM LINE

Whether you are married, widowed, single, or divorced, you can play a fatherly role in the life of a younger Christian. Pray for opportunities.

Moment of Strength: Philemon 1