What Does It Mean for a Man to Lead His Home?
The Nature of Fatherly Authority
One of the things that makes fatherhood difficult in our moment in history is the almost complete collapse of a sense of authority. Legitimate, tenderhearted, unapologetic, fatherly authority in the home.
A dad who understands the Bible, loves the Lord, and has surrendered his life to Christ should not apologize for being the head of the house. Instead, he should accept the privilege of bearing the weight of authority in his homeβfor the blessing of his wife and children.
We see authority in Jesus. In the Upper Room Jesus said, βYou call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I amβ (John 13:13). He was very comfortable with that. Then he got down and washed their feet.
Now that is authority.
It is an awareness that God has placed me in his world to play a role that is going to make an impact forever.
I am a dad over precious children, perhaps a granddad. That authority must not be surrendered to the pervasive and corrosive self-doubt of our times. We must accept who God has called us to be and then serve with that authority.
Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., lead pastor of Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee
