Dear Ones:
Many are the extraordinary truths, and thus, realities, revealed to us in the Bible. But none is perhaps so personal, and enriching, as the fact that our Creator, the Eternal God, IS our Father. How many lives have been revolutionized because they have come to understand something of this relationship, and the richness of life that springs forth from it!!
If we would enter into the realm of a deeper understanding of God as our Father, we need to grasp the truth that pertains to His nature. Jesus said: “You have heard that it has been said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I say unto you, ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you…that ye may BE the children of your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:43-45) By Jesus’ words, He brings us into a realm of understanding WHO our Father is, and the discovery is overwhelming, for it deals with that which is other-worldly. Who among us loves our enemy, blesses those who curse us, does good to those who hate us, and prays for those who “spitefully” use us? In all honesty…the answer is, “No not one.” The nature of the Father is other than we are, but His beauty and goodness shines with blatant power and holiness by the revelation of His love. God is the TRUE Father, one not tainted by sin, selfishness, or imperfection. His love, expressed by His care and attentiveness to our every need, is beyond our capacity to fully understand. And what is so very amazing is that, He loves us as we ARE…with all our imperfections, sins, and failures. He does this because He cannot deny what He IS. This was supremely exemplified when He “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us ALL.” (Rom. 8:32) In light of these truths, what does He mean that we should BE children of our Father which is in heaven?
First of all, it means that we are to BE as He Is…in nature. This is ONLY possible by the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts. No amount of self-effort, (trusting in ourselves…the flesh), can “meet the Law’s demands.” It is only as our consciences are clean before Him, and we are trusting Him to fill us with the Spirit, and keep us filled, that HIS life…that of Christ, is lived and revealed to others. The power is there to BE what we should be.
Secondly, it means living in the reality of the Father’s presence: “…pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:6) Our lives are to be lived in the presence of the Father, before Him, unto Him. The beginning of our communion with God by prayer is to be: “Our FATHER which art in heaven…” Have we ever meditated on the thought of how great, wonderful, and mighty is our Father…in heaven?
Thirdly, it means that we need to grasp the reality of His intimate care of us. He feeds the birds of the field, and clothes the lilies of the field so that their glory surpasses that of Solomon. These are illustratios to reveal to us that we are not to be dominated by the things of this world, the “treasures upon earth,” nor by our “lives” which might be characterized by anxiety over clothing and food. We are to live in the reality of faith in the Father who cares for us, to lead, guide, and provide. It is as we, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, ” that we will see “…all these things” provided. Ours is to walk with Him, His to provide and care for us. He would have us to be heavenly minded in this respect, so that we should truly be of earthly good.
Dear Father, the hymn-writer has written: “No earthly father loves like Thee, no mother ‘ere so mild, bears and forebears as Thou hast done with me, Thy sinful child.” Grant us the clear, and expanding vision, of Who Thou art, and what our relationship with Thee is to be. Enable us to BE Thy children in disposition of heart, and power of life, to love and to do good, by the Spirit. Then, others will see the reality of Thy love, and be drawn to Thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad