BIBLICAL FATHERHOOD--THE GREAT NEED OF THE WORLD 4. f) HE HAS A VISION FOR A GODLY DYNASTY THE BIBLICAL FATHER SEES HIS CHILDREN AS ARROWS

10b) HITTING THE MARK ARROWS continued.

"None shall return in vain" says the prophet in Jeremiah 50:9.

When God sent Moses to deliver His people, it was not "in vain." Hebrews 3:5 says, "And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after."

When God sent His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ into the world, it was not in vain. Hebrews 3:2 says, "He was faithful to him that appointed him." He was the greatest of all the arrows God had in His quiver, and without doubt, He flew straight and hit the mark, destroying not only the penalty for our sins but also the power of sin with which we were powerless to help ourselves. If Christ had not hit the mark by enduring the cross none of us would ever be able to hit the mark for which we have been sent.

The apostle Paul in no way wanted to miss the mark for which he had been called. He confesses in Philippians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Paul was always concerned that he would not fall short of his calling. He states in 1 Corinthians 15:10, "His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

Men, how much are we concerned about hitting the mark for which Christ Jesus has called us? Are we really serious about our calling to be the real men of God this world so desperately needs? How serious are we about raising the arrows of our own sons and daughters to hit the mark?

What a shame it would be to live this "once in a lifetime opportunity" in vain! For once this life is over there are no second chances.

Be encouraged. Colin.