This editorial was written March 20, one day after the Lord called to Himself our dear brother Gordon Hayhoe, a gracious, faithful servant and spiritual father, known and loved by many.
Though our beloved brother would not have wished to have anything written about himself or his service, our God tells us to “remember them... who have spoken unto you the word of God.” Then He encourages us to follow the example of faith we have observed in their lives (Heb. 13:77Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (Hebrews 13:7)).
That is what a spiritual father does for his spiritual children: Because he loves Christ, he speaks of Christ, he lives for Christ and he is an example of following Christ. The precious Saviour is thus presented as the sole, absorbing Object of the heart. “Draw me, we will run after Thee” (Song of Sol. 1:44Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. (Song of Solomon 1:4)).
The Need of Fathers
Twenty-seven years ago, in an address to young people, our beloved brother commented, “I don’t know how soon the Lord will come. I hope He comes very soon. But if He leaves us here a little longer, who can tell what will happen as the Lord removes the older ones from among us one by one. Young people, there is a place for you to be used in blessing to God’s dear people.”
May hearts be freshly stirred about our need of spiritual fathers as “one by one” we continue to see those the Lord has given for blessing called home to Himself. How we need those fathers whose hearts love the One who is “chiefest among ten thousand”!
The Work of Fathers
The work of spiritual fathers is unceasing and vital, characterized by earnest longing for spiritual growth and blessing among God’s beloved children.
Fathers encourage and cultivate spiritual growth by applying the truth of God in love and discernment.
Fathers, in grace and tenderness, seek to form and guide children, not just with their words, but by the actions of their own lives.
Fathers have shepherding hearts that willingly trouble themselves to know the state of the flocks.
Fathers constantly go before the throne of grace, bearing there the burdens, difficulties, trials and sorrows of those on their hearts.
In Ephesians 4:14-1514That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:14‑15), Paul exhorts believers not to remain children but, by holding the truth in love (JND), to grow into spiritual maturity in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 2:77But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: (1 Thessalonians 2:7) shows the gracious, fathering spirit in which he acted: “We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.”
The Example of Fathers
He who had preached the gospel to them was their spiritual father, and it was he who entreated them as his beloved spiritual children to imitate his life of faith. Paul loved them, knew their condition and needs, and communicated the mind of God to them so they might be blessed. Above all else, he lived before them that which he spoke to them.
Scriptural truth is vital and unchangeable. But teachers—even if there be ten thousand of them—seeking to impart their knowledge of divine things without personal exercise before God about how and what and when and to whom truth is to be imparted—may hinder rather than help the growth and fruit that a spiritual father has fostered.
The Sacrifice of Fathers
May there be renewed individual and collective prayer that in these final, closing moments of the day of grace true spiritual fathers might be raised up—those who are willing to make personal sacrifices in order that the flock might be preserved and blessed.
Ed.