"I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I urge you to imitate me."
1 Corinthians 4:14-15
Reading through Corinthians I found this passage. Paul is addressing the Christians in Corinth. This passage says that although we have Tens of Thousands of guardians in Christ that there aren't many fathers. Granted we're not on the same level or have the same influence as Paul, but we're able to! I believe that his scripture is telling us that in a world of "Christians: we need to take the challenge and become spiritual fathers, or mothers, in Christ for the lost people of this world. There is a huge difference between father and guarding.
A father is defined as:
A father is defined as:
11. A person who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider
2. a person who has originated or established something
A guardian is defined as:
A father denotes ownership where as a guardian is only temporary. God calls us to not only plant the seed of the gospel but make sure that it's planted on good ground, it's able to grow, mature, and develop. [ Matthew 13:1-9]
Also, fathers have a lot more responsibility but also they get a lot more reward and joy when their charges mature, grow, and develop.
Finally, fathers are bold with their children. They don't back off when they're confronted with something they believe in with their whole heart, and they do this with a loving-kindness because they have a relationship and want to continue it.
In the second part of this verse Paul states, "I urge you to imitate me." This shows Paul's confidence and security in his identity in Christ. Are you in a place in your relationship with God that you can say to someone, "Follow me, imitate me."? People can see when true effort and love is being lived out by the fruit in your life. Then, they ask why and you get the incredible honor of witnessing to them.
A guardian is defined as:
1. a person who guards, protects, or preserves.
2. Law . a person who is entrusted by law with the care of the person or propertyA father denotes ownership where as a guardian is only temporary. God calls us to not only plant the seed of the gospel but make sure that it's planted on good ground, it's able to grow, mature, and develop. [ Matthew 13:1-9]
Also, fathers have a lot more responsibility but also they get a lot more reward and joy when their charges mature, grow, and develop.
Finally, fathers are bold with their children. They don't back off when they're confronted with something they believe in with their whole heart, and they do this with a loving-kindness because they have a relationship and want to continue it.
In the second part of this verse Paul states, "I urge you to imitate me." This shows Paul's confidence and security in his identity in Christ. Are you in a place in your relationship with God that you can say to someone, "Follow me, imitate me."? People can see when true effort and love is being lived out by the fruit in your life. Then, they ask why and you get the incredible honor of witnessing to them.
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