Expressions Of God’s Fatherhood
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Please open your Bible and read Matthew 6:8-13.
God expresses His Fatherhood through His desire to have an intimate relationship with us. The first line of the Lord’s Prayer – “Our Father who is heaven, hallowed be Your name” (v. 9) – moves from His Fatherhood to His holiness. In one sentence, Jesus shows us that we can have a personal relationship with God although He is perfectly holy and without imperfection. This prayer has a sense of transparency, which speaks of a close relationship. We can ask our Father to provide our daily needs and completely forgive our sins; we can also ask Him to give us the power to forgive others who sin against us.
When we quiet ourselves before God, we will be able to sense His presence, and He will reveal more of who He is. We will also better understand His desire to communicate with us and show His love. We can trust that He hears us. If He wasn’t listening, why would Jesus have said, “Ask, and it will be given to you”? (Luke 11:9)
God’s unconditional love is the greatest expression of His Fatherhood – His love for those who accept Him is not different from His love for those who reject Him. Unfortunately, whoever rejects the Lord positions himself in such a way that he cannot enjoy this divine love. But when we “remain” in Christ’s unconditional love by following Him, we are able to enjoy its fullness. (John 15:9 – 11)
The Lord promises to be with us forever. (John 14:16 – 18) How awesome to have a Father who knows us intimately, speaks to us, and offers us unconditional love that will never end.
Question: How do you think your own experiences (or lack thereof) with your own father shape your view of God the Father?
About this Author: Charles Stanley
Why pray, when “our Father knows what you need before you ask him”(Matt.6:8)? — Because prayer is much more than asking; it is a 2-way communication during which we get to know Him. Each of one of us us unique, and God knows our abilities as well as our weaknesses. As we come to Him often we learn to live “in His holy presence” and the Spirit leads us to be in His perfect will. What a blessing to be a member of the Royal Family, a child of the King!
My earthly father was great handy-man, mechanic, builder, and farmer. Being human, he made mistakes, but he loved Jesus, and we loved him. He was respected in the community, but how much more need we respect our heavenly Father!
ÿþ¨˜BTÜ‘, to you I’d say, we were not designed to do it by ourselves. God made us to be dependent on Him. When we really find God, and communicate with Him, we become new from the inside. The Holy Spirit shows us who’s children we are, and through prayer & Bible reading we know what is required of us!
I marvel at God’s salvation plan: We are all descendants of one man, Adam, and are all condemned to die because of our sins. Then one Man, Jesus, died for one man, Adam (and all his descendants), so that we are freed from the curse of sin, redeemed, justified by faith, and can en joy fellowship with the Father! What a plan! How can I respond?
Lord God, I thank You for helping us to be members of Your Royal Family. We want to love You more dearly, follow You more closely, and serve You more whole-heartily. With praise and thanksgiving, we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful holiness. How awesome it is to know that You are who You say You are, and will do what You say You will do, since there is no lie or contradiction in You! We praise You for Your faithfulness.
Relying on your instanct is tough for most of us. It can take many people a long time to build a strong moral system. It doesnt really just happen if you know what I mean.