Father and Son

As we continue in our study of our relationship with God, it seems important to remember how we received this new relationship. We must remember that it is nothing that we have done, and it is therefore nothing that we can lose. It is Christ's work on the cross that we take hold of by faith (belief, trust) in the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Of the many ways that our relationship with God is described in Scripture, this is always an amazing amount of assurance in this truth.

The Jews would be comfortable calling God "Our Father" meaning that they corporately were the children of God, but would not presume that they could individually call God "my Father." It seemed too close, too intimate, and placed God too close to man for comfort. Seemingly, degrading God and over-elevating man. So first century Jews would avoid this altogether. Truthfully, they were wise to do so. However, a distinct change has occurred and we can call God "my Father" with confidence because of what we know through the Scripture.

Jesus referred to God as His Father in a special way (John 20:17). The eternal relationship between God the Father and God the Son justified His special and unique address to God as His individual Father. Here is the exciting thing: because we are positioned in the Son of God we have this position of sonship, and can address God as our Father and come to Him boldly, based on the work of Jesus Christ and our position in Him. Paul puts in this way: "For you did not recieve the spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out 'Abba Father.'" (Romans 8:15) The word abba is an intimate term and sounds much like our English word "papa", not coincidentally! We can glean so much from this amazing revelation. God wants us to address Him as "Papa" and come to Him with the same readiness that any toddler would run to their loving Father, whether running to show a finger-painting, or to seek comfort for a skinned knee.

One final thought on this Fatherhood of God from Jesus: "If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your childen how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11) A principle of your Heavenly Father is that He will care for you and delights in the moments when you trust in Him. As a father of 3 I think I can see a bit of what God is trying to tell us. Nothing is more beautiful, honoring and pleasing to me when my kids are willing to trust me, that I am looking out for their best good. This gift is amazing, don't forget the great undeserved privilege that we have each and every day to come to our "Papa" and trust in His care.