 Jesus raised the bar at the end of the Beatitudes, when He
invited and called us to become “peacemakers”. Jesus had something in mind that
goes well beyond how traditional theological streams define the blessing that
comes to a peacemaker. It was His stated intention and awesome promise that
those who lay hold of this heart reality would be called sons of God.
Five hundred years of theology has taught us to think of this phrase in
the “positional” sense, as an aspect of our identity that is “automatic” or
bequeathed to us in the moment of salvation. “Behold!” John spoke in his
first letter as he pondered this truth, “ what manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” John continues to
develop this awesome sentence in a manner that was meant to provide insight into
how God views us, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet
been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall
be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
It’s a
breathtaking statement that gives the believer a concrete definition of their
present position before God as well as a future glimpse into the implications of
that position. These words were meant to give us both confidence and hope. I
agree that to view our identity as a son of God in a positional way is
beneficial to our growth in God. Yet the scriptures consistently speak of the
“already, but not yet” way in which Jesus establishes His kingdom promises. Thus
Peter could be called a “rock” of steadiness long before it was actually true of
him. The kingdom of God was at hand in the days of the first advent, but the
fullness of what Jesus proclaimed was yet to come. This is why John concludes
his statement about our identity as children of God with this: “And everyone who
has this hope in Him purifies Himself, just as He is pure.”
John identifies our coming transformation as a future hope
that must stir us into present holiness and purity. In other words, one can be
in the family yet not be a true spiritual son. A true son is not satisfied with
the designation, but longs to be found as one in whom God is “well-pleased”.
Jesus did not simply call Himself a Son of the Living God, nor did He appeal to
His identity as the Second Person of the Trinity. He actually embodied and
exemplified the meekness and humility of His Father as a true and authentic Son
- and the Father was well-pleased with Him.
This same principle holds
true with the modern concept of “spiritual fathers” and “spiritual sons” that at
times oversimplifies and waters down the high and rigorous call on those who
endeavor to be one of those two things. Many want to be a father or a son - but
it takes more than simply having an older man spend time talking about life with
a younger man. It takes more than a younger man “carrying the bags” of an older
man and making his life and ministry work better, while learning a few tips
along the way.
To be a true spiritual father, one must have a rich
inheritance in God to give to a true son. There are few true spiritual fathers
around the nation today. Few give themselves to a life and pursuit of the things
of God that ignite a fire in the inner man. Few are willing to endure the
demands of such a life in God - to go somewhere in paving the way that others
could emulate and follow. Even fewer are willing to do so in a manner that is
exceedingly generous in spirit, that true sons could be (and would be) actually
given the inheritance by a father who is not concerned with personal gain or
honor but longs to honor his sons.
Again, so much of what passes for
“spiritual fathering” today involves older men and women in ministry that are
happy for gifted young adults to make their lives and ministries better. While I
appreciate training and leadership development, this is not really “spiritual
fathering”. Other times, this false reality is expressed in a relationship based
mostly on entertainment without God’s purpose at the center. What is the issue?
It is common and assumed as a right that is automatic by young and old alike
without first exhibiting faithfulness. The spirit of entitlement often sets the
culture of a ministry in a wrong place, hindering the process of fathering.
A spiritual father, first of all, must be faithful to God in order to be
ministers with substance in God that young people are provoked to imitate.
Spiritually boring older people will not be able to function as spiritual
fathers; rather, they must have something to give. The test of a leader is to
look behind to see if anyone is following you; if no one is following you, then
another cannot make you a spiritual leader.
As Paul said, “It is
required in stewards (fathers & children) that one be found faithful.” (1
Cor 4:2) This works both ways in the concept of “spiritual fathering” - the
reason for its rarity is also found in the corresponding need for faithfulness
in the “children” as well. For sons or daughters to have a spiritual father
requires that they be faithful, teachable and “able”, or gifted, who are
committed to reproduce in others. Paul talked about this in regards to Timothy -
who was one of the only men Paul called a “son” (Titus being the other) in all
the years he ministered:
Paul lamented the lack of young men who were
“like-minded” - which speaks of a faithfulness related to the scriptures and
kingdom values that Paul embraced and embodied in life. There had to be
“follow-through” on the part of his potential sons by which they gave themselves
faithfully to the labors of Paul. As Paul prayed, fasted, taught, and lived, so
those who endeavored to be a son to him had to do the same. This rarely happens!
The result is that spiritual fathering is not real common because of the low
numbers of faithful older people linked up to faithful younger people.
I want to be like Him. I yearn to be a true son to my Father
in heaven. There is much that He will give me as a member of His family - but I
believe that He will give more, both today and tomorrow, to those who are found
faithful. The parable of the talents in Matt. 25:14-30 bears this out as true. I
am not satisfied with a positional reality - I want to labor for internal and
external reality as one who is called a “son of God”. I want to be authentic -
and authentically like Jesus. I want my life to be a reflection of what matters
to Him and what He values. I want all of my heart attitudes to exude godliness
and holiness. This is what I believe is knit to the heart attitude of the
“peacemaker” - the one who is able to bring reconciliation will be known as an
authentic son of God, through and through.
Knowing our identity as children of God, and then stepping
into the role of a spiritual father or mother is vital to our very spiritual
existence. If we do not know how to stand in the place of peace and usher it in
then we do not know the truth of who we are. May the peace that passes all
understanding rule and reign within you!
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