Fathers in the Faith

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband- to present a pure virgin to Christ. But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure devotion to Christ. For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you received a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly! 2 Cor 11:2-4

Paul considered himself a father in the faith and the Corinthian church as his daughter whom he was wanting to present to Christ as a betrothed. However, another man had come alone, one whom Paul calls a 'false apostle', and this man had disturbed them with a different gospel and put down Paul's ministry.

This must have been very frustrating for Paul to have a spiritual daughter not able to recognise her father in the faith, however, I have seen this again and again. Some Christians do not recognise spiritual father's or mothers and bumble along blindly and get thoroughly deceived.

Paul knew his heart and his faithfulness, but they didn't. (Well at least not all did). It is important that we recognise those who are paying the price for us, that pray for us when we stray or struggle. We must honour these men and women as they are faithful and worthy of honour and our support.