BIBLICAL FATHERHOOD--THE GREAT NEED OF THE WORLD 7z-18) HE HAS A GENERATION MINDSET-- ROLE MODELING LOVE THAT "BELIEVES ALL THINGS" (1 Corinthians 13:7). New subject.

Men, our children need fathers who are always willing to believe that their children will succeed, will do well in life, will do the right thing for their God and their fellowman, and will make their parents proud of them. Putting it straight and to the point, every child needs parents who will always be willing, no matter what, to believe the best for their children.

What a blessing it is for every child to know, without a doubt, that his parents honestly believe in him or her. This assists children to grow up not willingly wanting to disappoint their parents. What a tragedy it is for children to grow up hearing their parents say, "You will never amount to anything," ":You are useless," "You are a failure," or "You don't have what it takes."

Leon Morris in his commentary on this Scripture says that "believing all things" points to the quality of love which is always ready to allow for circumstances and to see the best in others. The Moffat's translations says, "Always eager to believe the best." If children have parents who believe in them and do their best to provide for them, they should not have to go through so much trouble and failure.

This type of love must be role modeled in our homes first. How easy it is for us to write people off too quickly. Most children will have to learn from their mistakes, and some are slower than others. However, given some time to wise up, especially with a father figure who believes in the best for them despite their failures, this love will not fail in most cases. This love that believes all things and always hopes for the best does so because it knows that all things are possible with God.

Be encouraged.

COLIN CAMPBELL