For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me - 1 Corinthians 4:15-16.
 |
| Photo by Pexels.com |
Fatherly Admonition
14 I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power. 21 What would you prefer? Am I to come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21, focus verses 15-16, and my conversion story. I realized that I struggled for many years with the Father figure of God, as I had a broken relationship with my own father till the day he died. I recall on the morning of his death, my mom called me and said that something wasn't quite right with my dad. Instead of rushing home to see him, I had changed into my work clothes and drove to work as per my usual routine. However, the next call was from the paramedic who said in a grave tone, "Mr Tan, you better come back, your father is dead…". A waterfall of tears clouded my sight as I drove like a mad man to my parents' place. I remember walking into his room and staring at his lifeless body. My sisters who arrived a bit later, quickly arranged for his death to be certified and contacted a funeral home to arrange the funeral services. I remember carrying his clammy and now stiff (rigor mortis) body out of the house into the lift to the mortuary truck which was awaiting below.
The day of the funeral flashed by in a daze as my own wedding was due to happen in five days' time. It was hard for my family as we grappled with the funeral proceedings and preparations for my wedding right after his cremation. I didn't know how to deal with the stresses of losing my father and final preparations for the wedding. I buried my stresses and difficulties under the guise of a busy work schedule. Ultimately, I paid the price of sacrificing my marriage on the altar of hard work, through emotional neglect among other modern stressors that plagued my broken marriage.
I've realized that while I didn't enjoy a close bond with my (late) earthly father, God sent me His Son, so that He can be my Father, by adoption. He has blessed me with many spiritual fathers since the loss of my own earthly father.
I'll close with this beautiful hymn of the Father's Love for us: How Deep The Father's Love For Us – Stuart Townend
Verse 1
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Verse 2
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
Verse 3
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Stuart Townend
How Deep The Father's Love For Us lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Reflection on 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 by Chris Tan
No comments:
Post a Comment