June 22, 2025 | Ptr Richard Schlit
Romans 12:1–2 says,
“I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
As part of the royal priesthood, you exist to declare God's glory. Your citizenship is in heaven, and that is your primary sense of belonging. You are part of a holy nation that belongs to God so that you may declare the praises of His glory—because He has rescued you.
In relation to this priesthood, a father is a minister to the Lord, to his wife, and to his children. God has delegated to you this responsibility of leading your family in spiritual worship as you offer yourself in worship to God.
Because you have been rescued from darkness and brought into His light, you are to offer your body as a living and holy sacrifice, set apart for God. This is your act of worship. Paul explains that you can offer your body to God in worship by not conforming to the patterns of this world, but by being transformed through the renewing of your mind. That transformation begins in your mind. So ask yourself: What are you filling your mind with? Are you filling it with Scripture?
Minister to the Lord
As a father, you need to understand your kingdom purpose. Part of that includes earning, providing, and caring for your family, but you are also responsible for investing your time and energy in the expansion of God’s kingdom.
Matthew 6:33 says,
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”;
You are to prioritize God’s kingdom—in everything you do, seek first the kingdom of God. You are also called to walk in victory.
Galatians 5:16 says,
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”;
Walk in the Spirit. Fill your heart and mind with the Word of God so that when temptation comes, you can reject it and choose what is pleasing to God. Win the battle in your mind.
Philippians 4:8 says,
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”;
Minister to Your Wife
Ephesians 5:21–28 says,
“Subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.”
As a husband, you are called to love your wife just as Christ loved the church. Christ
sacrificed and gave His life for the church. You are ought to do the same. Any wife would be glad to submit to a husband who loves her like that—continually giving himself for her.
It is your responsibility to help your bride become more beautiful and holy each day. You ought to love her as you love your own body. This is your priestly ministry to her. Paul also explains that after marriage, your primary human relationship, aside from your relationship with God, is now with your wife.
Minister to Your Children
Ephesians 6:1–3 says,
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
As a father, you must not exasperate your children. Even when you are frustrated, do not respond with harsh words. Instead, train them in the instruction of the Lord. As the leader of your home, take responsibility. While you cannot fully control your children’s growth and development, you can set the direction and do everything within your power to guide them according to God’s Word.
Give them a strong foundation in the faith and train them in the Lord’s instruction, because you, as the father and priest of the home, are the spiritual leader of your family.
Proverbs 22:6 says,
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”;
As a father, you carry both an incredible privilege and a great responsibility. Commit yourself to the Lord. Love your wife. Train your children. Walk closely with God, and He will enable you to fulfil all these responsibilities.