Sunday, August 13, 2023

God is Our Father

By Bill Brandstatter
 
    God is our Father. There are other religions that cannot make this claim of the one they worship. Christians can address God on a personal level. Jesus prayed, “Our Father which art in heaven.” (Matt. 6:9) Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). Jesus had been with God from eternity (Phil. 2:5-8; John 1:1). He came from the Father (John 17:1-3).
    God is the Father of all. The writer of Hebrews refers to him as the “Father of spirits” in chapter 12 verse 9. In a very real sense, He is our Father. Malachi wrote, “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Mal. 2:10) Paul stated, “We are his offspring” (Acts 17:28, 29).
    God is the Father of all Christians. In another very special sense, He is the head of the family (Eph. 3:15). Christians are begotten by God’s Word (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 1:22, 23). Sinners by conversion become the adopted sons or children of God (Rom. 8:14-17). Faith and baptism give us a special relationship as children (Gal. 3:26, 27). Anyone can be part of God’s special family (Gal. 3:28).
    God is the Father that loves us. God demonstrated His love for us. Paul writes that “while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) God’s love is not sentimental or emotional. It is the kind of love that is sacrificial. He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). God sent His son into a sin-filled world. He sent His son to die for the world. God’s love abounds in the lives of the obedient. (Eph. 1:3; 3:20) He has made it possible for us to show our love for Him. John helps us in understanding by writing; “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 Jn. 5:3 NKJV) So, God demonstrated His love for us and we must demonstrate our love for Him. Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (John 14:23)
    God is a Father that wants to be first in our lives. God loves us but He wants to be first in our lives. He knows what we need. In Ex. 20:5, God declares: “For I, the LORD your God am a jealous God.” God said previously “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exo. 20:3) Those who do not put God first will suffer the consequences. Jeremiah wrote the Lord’s words: “Thus they have loved to wander; They have not restrained their feet. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; He will remember their iniquity now, And punish their sins.” (Jer.14:10) Let us put God first, and He will take care of us (Mt. 6:33). He does His part, and we must do ours.

Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/


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