One of my favorite movies is Braveheart. In one powerful scene, William Wallace rides up on a horse to address his troops. The men are looking across the field at an English army that greatly outnumbers them. Some are overwhelmed and express a desire to go home versus facing certain death. Wallace says, “Aye, you can return to your homes and live but what kind of life will it be without freedom?” He proceeded to call out to the “Sons of Scotland!” He said, “You fight today as free men against an enemy that wants to take our freedom!”
The Scots stood firm on the battlefront knowing who they were – Sons of Scotland; what they were – Free men; and, who the enemy was – Tyranny, a counterfeit freedom. Today it is up to dads to raise up a generation that knows who they are, what they are and who the enemy is.
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. … The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,” – Romans 8:15-17. We are sons of, and heirs of our Father, the Most High God! “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36. We are free men, free in Jesus the Christ! And we know who the enemy is. Jesus identified him in talking with the Pharisees – “You belong to your father, the devil … He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44. Thanks to Jesus the Christ, we know who we are - sons of the Most High God! And we know what we are – Truly free in Jesus the Christ. Today, the enemy has woven himself into our culture – a culture of lies, deception and counterfeit freedom. In the daily struggles, it is easy for men to forget who they are and what they are, and embrace the enemy. It is time for every dad to lead by example in standing firm in who he is and what he is in Jesus the Christ in order to recognize and defeat the enemy with Truth.
Charles Stanley has said, “We are all in a battle whether we want to be or not – the battle is between good and evil, and you are the prize.” If we are the prize, the next generation will either be collateral damage or Kingdom victors. The outcome depends on whether or not dads recognize and defeat the enemy. Calling all dads – Stand firm in who you are and what you are in Jesus the Christ in order to recognize and defeat the enemy with Truth.
Prayer guide: I am thankful for You Lord for the freedom offered through Your life, death, resurrection, ascension, sending of the Holy Spirit and the promise to come again. I confess I have allowed myself to be lured into the counterfeit freedom – my dreams, my goals, my agenda, my perspective of sexuality and healthy relationships. Forgive me for turning from who I am and what I am in You. Grant me clarity to recognize the devil’s schemes that work to distract and the boldness to stand firm on the battlefront to defeat the enemy with Truth. That is the dad You call me to be and the dad the next generation needs to see. Amen.
A faithful father stands firm in who he is and what he is in Jesus the Christ.
