Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by her father, and out of respect for her father gathered support from churches, the YMCA, and several other institutions to establish Father's Day, which was first celebrated on June 19, 1910. But it didn't become an official holiday until 1972.
To have a good Father is a blessing. Every father is a role model. He demonstrates how we should live and conduct ourselves. The Bible indicates that we believers are to be role models.
But to review, Phil. 3:12-16 indicates that to become a role model, Paul doesn't look to his past, but looks to his future of growth in the Lord. He hadn't obtained full maturity or perfection.
God also wants us to be gentle with other believers. If there's a minor disagreement, then we need to allow time for Lord to reveal what is right and not argue over minor issues. We should be striving for unity. As a result we were taught how to reach maturity, but today we learn why we should reach maturity.
God wants us to mature through imitating spiritual role models and becoming one. To be one, we must seek godly role models first.
Paul called on the Philippians to imitate him because of the unique gifts that God had given to Paul. Beside this, Paul rejoiced in his sufferings for the gospel to exemplify how to handle persecution.
But was Paul arrogant to tell the Philippines to imitate him? No, because it was God's desire for the Philippians to be discipled by Paul. And he wanted his readers to pay attention to all godly Christians who were took on the role of discipleship. And thus all Christians should be role models.
But why do we reject role models in our lives? Some we were bad examples of role models who were wolves in sheep's clothing. Some led double lives committing immorality and murder. And some have left the faith taking people with them. But is that enough to abandon role models because of the bad ones? Paul instead says pay serious attention to godly role models. This doesn't mean scrutinizing people or seeking perfection in others. But you shouldn't be a blind follower of anyone.
Paul makes it clear that our imitation of others is not optional. But this role model must actively pursue Christ. Such a role model can help you study your Bible. This person can help you pray. This person can reveal strategies and tactics for avoiding and overcoming temptation, having victory in your life. God's plan includes you becoming a godly role model. That includes knowing the Bible, having it renew your mind, desiring its spiritual nourishment, and thinking about issues as God does.
Some may still want to be our own person, like a spiritual "lone ranger". But that only makes us more susceptible to spiritual pitfalls. God wants us as we mature to avoid spiritual pitfalls. And a role model can help with that.
Paul warned the Philippians about Judaizers. But under the Holy Spirit's care, Paul's words could include other heresies and false religions for us today. These enemies of the cross can be discovered by how they live. Some times it's not easy to discern. But it's clear they head for destruction. Unlike Christ, they serve their appetites. They rejoice in their wickedness. And their only concern is this life.
Perhaps now you agree to find a godly role model. But there's blessing from the Lord in finding a role model. God has a glorious plan for us as we reach maturity in the future.
We have a future beyond this life. We currently reside as citizens in God's kingdom and to his kingdom we will go. We don't live for this world.
Our focus on God's kingdom comes from our waiting for our Savior Jesus Christ. He will come again to complete our salvation, the changing of our mortal, sin-cursed bodies to be like his body. He is able to do this because of his power to subject all things to himself.
Will you find a role model and strive to be a role model for a fellow believer? If you don't know the Lord, you don't have a future other than this world. Will you trust in him today?
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Fathers: Our Role Models
2:06 Review
4:15 Seek Godly Role Models
15:06 Avoid Spiritual Pitfalls
26:51 God's Glorious Future for Believers
