Listen to this week’s message Joy in the Journey – Week 3 (Watch Here)
The Power of Unity with Christ
Fatherhood is one of the most sacred and weighty callings a man can receive. In the eyes of children, a father is often the first image of strength, leadership, correction, and love. Yet behind every great father is a greater Father, the One who equips us through His presence, grace, and example.
In Philippians 2:1, the Apostle Paul offers a gentle yet powerful reminder: everything we do as believers and especially as fathers should flow out of our union with Christ.
Philippians 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
Paul is not questioning whether these things exist; he’s affirming that they do. If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’ve experienced encouragement in your walk with Him. You’ve known the comfort of His unfailing love. You’ve shared in the Holy Spirit’s power and presence. You’ve both received and given compassion. These blessings are not abstract ideals; they are lived realities and they’re exactly what God wants to flow through your life into your family.
This is true whether you are a dad, a mom, or a friend. We get to have the amazing gifts of our heavenly Father flow into us and through us!
- As you have encouragement from Christ, be an encourager!
Being united with Christ means we are never parenting alone. When your strength feels thin and your patience runs low, the presence of Jesus is your source of hope and help. As fathers, we need to first receive encouragement before we can give it. Take time each day to be encouraged by Christ. Your children will benefit from a father who walks out of his quiet time with Jesus ready to build others up.
- As you have received comfort from His Love, be a safe place for your family!
Fathers are protectors, but more than that, they are meant to be safe, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The comfort we receive from God’s unconditional love helps us offer our children a home where failure isn’t fatal, and growth is welcomed. When you mess up, and you will, let God’s love heal and humble you. A father who knows he is deeply loved will raise children who are deeply secure.
- If you have fellowship with the Spirit, walk in wisdom
The Holy Spirit isn’t a distant force; He is the very presence of God dwelling within you. He gives you discernment when your child is hurting but hiding it. He gives you strength when work has exhausted your last ounce of energy. He reminds you of the Word when you’re tempted to respond with frustration rather than gentleness. Don’t father driven by your sinful flesh when you’ve been given the power of God’s Holy Spirit!
- Tenderness and Compassion — to Reflect the Heart of God
This might be the most overlooked trait of godly fathers: tenderness. In a world that celebrates toughness, the Father-heart of God reveals Himself through gentleness and compassion. Jesus, the perfect picture of manhood, wept at gravesides, welcomed children, and carried the burdens of the broken. As a dad, your strength is not compromised by your tenderness — it’s completed by it.
So in every vocation of life, live by starting with Christ, not with ourselves. The more we receive from Him, the more we can give to those who matter most. But especially if you are a dad, your children don’t need a perfect father. They need a present, Spirit-led one, one who is united with Christ, overflowing with His love, and grounded in His grace.
You and they have a perfect Father in heaven who loves and forgives you. You just get to reflect him to the family around you!
Apply: What can you do each day to connect with Christ and lead from a place of connection to Christ rather than connection to self?
Prayer: Father, thank You for inviting me into unity with Your Son. Help me to receive Your encouragement, Your love, and Your Spirit each day. Let Your tenderness shape my own, and may my children see in me a glimpse of Your heart. Make me a faithful father who leads by leaning on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”