In 1990 George Strait released a song titled “Love Without End, Amen.” The chorus of that song goes like this “...let me tell you a secret about a father’s love, a secret that my daddy said was just between us. He said, daddies don’t just love their children every now and then. It’s a love without end, amen. It’s a love without end, amen.”

While growing up I heard this song often. However, I never quite understood the true meaning behind the chorus of this song, until I myself became a father. You see, daddies don’t just love their children every now and then. For the truth is, a father’s love for his children is without a doubt a love without end. So, with the thought of a father’s love in mind, let’s go to the Bible, and let’s examine some notable characteristics of a father’s love. Beginning with...

A Father’s Love Involves Compassion. When defined compassion is “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.” Unfortunately, there are many dads today who lack the characteristic of compassion. For, the fact of the matter is, many dads fail to properly express compassion toward their children because they let their ego get in the way. However, although it is sometimes easier said than done, we as fathers need to let go of our ego, and we need to diligently express compassion toward our children. Therefore, hold on to these words of David, “As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13). So, with those inspired words in mind, may all of us who are fathers compassionately love our children. 

A Father’s Love Involves Instruction. A father’s love should also involve giving their children proper instruction, and/or training in the way they should go. In Ephesians 6:4 Paul writes, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” You see, fathers, you have the responsibility of training your children to follow the Lord and His ways. Therefore, may all fathers diligently seek to fulfill this command, and may we all strive to be godly men who set the proper example for our children, and let’s be fathers who bring up our children in the training and admonition of the Lord. For, as the wise man revealed, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Fathers, keep those words of wisdom in mind, and always remember that the souls of your children are precious, therefore never neglect your duty to properly instruct them in the Lord.

A Father’s Love Involves Discipline. As fathers we also need to show our love for our children by properly correcting them when they have done wrong. Unfortunately, many fathers today have become so-called “push overs” when it comes to disciplining their children. However, this should never be the case, for the wise man penned, “For whom the Lord loves he corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12). You see, fathers do not discipline their children to harm or hurt them, but rather they discipline their children all out of love. In Proverbs 13:24 we read, “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” Fathers, take heed to these words of wisdom, for as we have learned a father’s love does involve discipline. Therefore, remember to, “Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction” (Proverbs 19:18).

A Father’s Love Involves Patience. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, Paul says “love suffers long” or in other words Paul says “love is patient.” You see, a father’s love should include patience. Now, I know as a father it is not always easy to be patient with our children, for there are and will be times in which our children will certainly test our patience. However, we all must remember what Paul said, and we must all strive to be patient fathers. So fathers, the next time your children test your patience keep these words of wisdom in mind, “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). Always remember fathers, love suffers long. Therefore, let’s strive to be patient with our children, just as our God is longsuffering with us (2 Peter 3:9).

A Father’s Love Involves Encouragement. While writing to the brethren in Thessalonica about his conduct Paul wrote, “as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged everyone of you, as a father does his own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:11). Here, Paul says that he and his fellow laborers in the Lord encouraged the brethren in Thessalonica, just as a father does his own children. You see, a father’s love for his children will involve encouragement, and although we all need encouragement, it is especially important for fathers to encourage their own children. For my friends, the truth is, every child longs for a pat on the back from dad. Therefore, fathers, encourage your children, let them know when they have done good, and show them how thankful you are for them. So, knowing that, may all dads keep these words of Paul in mind, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21).

These are some notable characteristics about a father’s love found in the Bible. I am very thankful for the loving father in my life, and I hope that all of us fathers will likewise strive to be loving fathers in our children’s lives. So, with that in mind, hold onto these words, “Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father” (Proverbs 17:6).