By Gerald Flurry
Family is the most beautiful thing in life!
Herbert W. Armstrong once wrote, “The very foundation of any stable civilization is a solid family structure. … Nothing in this material world is as important as a happy home life with father, mother and well-taught, happy children—a close-knit family” (Good News, February 1979).
So often, you see that great men and women come from strong families. They had the support of a dedicated father and mother in a happy marriage.
Theodore Roosevelt attributed a great part of his success and leadership to what he learned from his father. “My father was the best man I ever knew,” he said. Wayne Gretzky, perhaps the greatest hockey player ever, had a terrific relationship with his father. So did the famous runner Sebastian Coe. Football greats Dan Marino and Joe Montana said their fathers taught them how to be leaders. I find such examples inspiring.
David Hartman was a common-looking man, not your typical handsome television personality. But he became very successful in that field, hosting the top-rated program Good Morning America for over a decade. He too had a strong relationship with his father. “My father always told me, David, you’re unique!” he said. “And you have something unique to give!” He believed his father and achieved a lot in his life.
The best family example in history, however, is that of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John, in writing his Gospel, showed how Jesus repeatedly and consistently honored His Father. John wrote, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him” (John 1:18). Notice what that verse says!
Jesus Christ was the only being ever begotten by God as a human being in the womb of a woman. This shows a special family relationship. There was the Father and the Son in the God Family!
Related stories:
“The Plain Truth About the Trinity Doctrine”
“Using God’s Sacred Name”
“Who and What Is God?”
The truth is, from the very beginning, God created physical family in order to teach people about Himself, and to draw people to Himself! God created marriage between husband and wife, and sex as a means of reproduction, so that children would grow up in a family. All of these physical realities point to spiritual truths! The physical family is an exact type of the God Family! You can read an inspiring and very complete scriptural explanation of these truths in Herbert W. Armstrong’s book The Missing Dimension in Sex. We would be happy to send you a copy for free.
John 1:18 also says Jesus was “in the bosom of the Father,” which means He had a wonderfully intimate, loving relationship with His Father. He loved, honored and respected His Father. He repeatedly gave His Father credit for His success.
Then, this verse tells us that Christ actually devoted His earthly ministry to declaring His Father! Jesus Christ revealed the existence of God the Father to this world. Before that time, people didn’t even know God in the terms of family.
Let me tell you an awe-inspiring, marvelous truth that you can prove from your Bible. It is very beautiful, and so plain that I wonder how so many people—even those who profess to believe the Bible—can fail so completely to understand it!
The Apostle John absolutely filled his Gospel with statements showing how Christ honored His Father! “[M]y Father is greater than I,” Christ said (John 14:28; see also John 5:19). “[T]he Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him,” He said (John 8:29). “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me” (John 6:38; see also John 4:34). Jesus repeatedly referred to “the Father which has sent me” (John 5:23, 30, 36, 37; 6:44, 57; 8:16, 18; 12:49; 20:21).
This is astonishing! Why did He keep repeating these statements? There is an inspiring reason!
Christ was the Son of God, who had shared in the majestic glory of God for a prior eternity. But He came to Earth to declare His Father. Over and over, He said, My Father sent me. Don’t make your religion revolve around me. I’m not the central figure! The Father sent me! He’s in charge! He’s the Head of the Family!
Thank you Mr. Flurry! The opportunities we have to support the father in the family structure to strengthen the design in Gods Family structure, for the ultimate joy of Christ our Husband to magnify Father, are most necessary to take advantage of and learn the government lesson. May we all learn it deeply
Wow, Im psyched over this 1 Mr Flurry! Thank you SO much 4 this as Ive had to sacrifice my physical father and many other family members for God. But to be reminded He will never forsake us and when we humble ourselves so we can learn to walk like God, Ive had to accept they will indeed be baby steps! Ive had to repent of my rebellion too and keep repenting daily! Life is different when you see things as God does. Thank you once again
An inspiring article and a great compliment to God’s Family Government booklet that I just read. Great parallels showing the importance of Our Spiritual Father and the physical father within each family. What great purpose there is in Honoring The Father! what great purpose we all have! The Incredible Human Potential is a fantastic book that explains why we were born-what our true purpose is in life-I would recommend everyone, on this earth, read it!
What a moving and very inspiring article. So much Spiritual Knowledge to take in knowing that Honoring your Father and your Mother is a Commandment of God!! Thank you!!
This is a very enlightening article! In my own experience, I think that the most important aspect in religion is to understand deeply the gospel message of Christ. The Father is the heart and core of the gospel. A lot of people think that Jesus Christ is the gospel, and the Kingdom of God is in the hearts of men. It is shocking that even most of God’s people follow this belief. Satan deceived them all. But God knows who follow His voice!
I don’t know what kind of comfort zone I had when a father is around.A family creates a situation, that even drugs cannot penetrate to come into our thinking.I’m glad that during my university days when I was away from them, my uncle & his family serves as my father.I made an accounting of strong manly character inherited from them.
Thank you Mr. Flurry for sharing its spiritual equivalent.
one way the devil destroys the “traditional” family (father,mother,children) is by gay marriages. the FATHER figure is discarded.
Came to know true love
lessons learned; Love I thy Law equates to God’s Family Government being administered in our physical Families sharing an out going concern for the one’s being loved, laying down our lives, putting them before our own self and always teaching them that the Father must always come first in everything we do.
Thank you, Mr. Flurry for being a loving example of our Father and his Son in the humility and strong spiritual strengths of God’s character you exemplify. Agape’
Christianity of today rejects any other god head than Christ. If they were to recognize the father they would have to admit to something other than an effeminate all forgiving Christ who accepts every one on their own terms. Their belief allows them to believe and not change, not to follow his example. The truth is so much better than what they have.. Some day they will come to know it..
We are so blessed now, to know and to see what we do.
THANKS
“Then, this verse tells us that Christ actually devoted His earthly ministry to declaring His Father!”
This essential truth is lost on so many. We must look to the Father like Christ did.
“Throughout Scripture there is instruction to fathers that they must lead their families in love.”
The father’s role as a leader, teacher, provider, and disciplinarian is an awesome responsibility! God is love and He is the ultimate Father!
Being a father of a large family , ( 10 …7 boys ..3 girls ), the eldest of whom is now 52, I find it much easier to relate as to how our Heavenly Father feels about us……Partic the mercy, protection from harm, desire to instruct and teach, firmness when required, leadership ….truth of word …….and personal example.
Thank you, Mr. Furry. This is a wonderful article every father needs to read. Our heavenly Father is truly the role model for all fathers.
Thank you Mr Flurry for remind us that God is not like a father but the ultimate Father. What a privelege and an honour to have this kind of knowledge, thank you Father