"Our
Father who art in heaven..."
While other "religions" present their god as either a wrathful being
who demands obedience or a passive spirit who leaves man to His own devices,
the Jehovah of the Bible calls all men to be his children by placing their
faith in His beloved Son. |
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The God of the Old Testament
is referred to as Yahweh, Father, because he is the creator, the law-giver,
and the protector of His people. The New Testament refers to Him
as the Father for the same reasons; especially in regard to the Father-Son
relationship revealed in Jesus Christ.
Another Biblical truth in
reference to the Fatherhood of God is that he takes an active interest
in human affairs just as any father would do so for his children.
Thus, the Scriptures teach that He is totally appraochable through prayer.
We are equally assured by the Word of God that he will respond in our best
interests according to His will. Conversely, He will discipline those
of His children who walk contrary to the principles He has revealed through
His Word. |
| "For whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son
is he whom the father chasteneth not?" ~ Hebrews 12:6&7 |
Not only is God the Father
the Creator, but he is the Provider to His creation. However, His
provisions are not always evident in material forms. Providing love,
caring, protection, calling, purpose, direction, and guidence are even
more essential to the Christian walk. These are fatherly attributes
and all are attributed to Him along with many more.
Furthermore, the Father has
an eternal relationship with his Son, Jesus. Thus, the core teachings
of Jesus were related back to the Father in presenting how God saves, secures,
and blesses the spiritual growth of his children. Therefore, we can
only conlude that the Fatherhood of God is inherent in his very nature.
He wants us to know Him as our Father who art in Heaven... |
| "No one
knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the
Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." ~ Matthew
11:27 |
However, there is a deeper
sense in which Christians believe that they are made participants in the
eternal relationship between them and their heavenly Father. The
New Testamanet refers to born again believers as the adopted children of
God. Interstingly enough, these Scriptures were written during the
time of Roman rule. In that time, it was understood that a natural
son or daughter could be disowned should a parent feel inclined to do so.
However, an adopted child could never be disowned. Oddly enough,
those who were adopted into the family were assured of remaining a member
of it forever.
This is consistent with the
doctrine of eternal security. Baptists remain convinced that God
the Father does not cast out adopted children. He may bring discipline
to their lives when they stray but he never rejects them.
Once a child of the heavenly
Father, always His child. |
| "Having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his will," ~ Ephesians 1:5 |
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| Slippage Questions: The
Doctrine of God the Father
"Therefore
we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard,
lest at any time we should let them slip." ~ Hebrews 2:1 |
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| Is your concept of God in harmony with
the Bibe which presents God as a loving Father who seeks to save His children
and
bring them home to Him? |
| If not, could it be that you are basing
your lack of understanding regarding the Fatherhood of God on either a
not-so-good or failed relationship with your own father? |
| Does your concept of God allow you to
actually believe that He would even begin to condone the killing of other
people to serve His purposes? |
| Would such actions be the mandate of a
Father who is seeking to adopt even those who walk outside of His will? |
| Does a Father cast out his children when
they do wrong or does He seek to guide them into maturity? |
| Do you believe that God the Father is
only approachable through others or have you accepted the Biblical teaching
that, as a child of God, you can go directly to Him with your prayers? |
| If you truly believe that God is the Father
of all those who have placed their faith in Jesus for their soul's salvation,
then what right do you have to overlord your brothers and sisters in Christ? |
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