Father

“As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”     Romans 8:14

A Christian’s relation to God is described in many different ways in Scripture.  God is called our friend, redeemer, creator, etc.  But perhaps the most familiar term, and the one which we use most frequently, is Father.  We use it so frequently that the awesome honor of being able to do so is lost.  But just think how it would sound if were to speak of God as we speak of our earthly father.  Yet that is just about how it must have struck the ears of Jesus’ disciples when He taught them to begin their prayers by calling God “Father.”

Essentially there is a greater gulf between us and God than there is between a man and a mouse.  Animals, after all, are fellow creatures.  But God made us all.  Francis of Assisi had a point when he referred to the birds as his brothers.  Besides, unlike the animals, man is a willful rebel against his Creator.  By nature he hates God.

The only way in which it is possible for such a creature to call an infinite and holy Creator his father is, of course, through Jesus Christ, for whose sake God adopted us as His sons.  That being the case, it is up to us to live more and more like our elder Brother, through the indwelling of His very own Spirit, so that we may look like sons of God, act as they ought to act, and be like them.

Prince Charles of England has been impressed from infancy that he is the Queen’s son and will some day reign in her stead.  Every hour and every day he must behave in that capacity.  We could check many wrong words and thoughts if we would ask ourselves often, Now is this something that Jesus would do?  “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…”  (Philippians 2:14, 15)

The Delay in Christ’s Return

The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.      II Peter 3:9

Every Christian has wondered at one time or another why Christ has waited two thousand long years to return to earth.  Sometimes we ask the question in sort of a complaining or critical way.  On the other hand, it is possible and even highly desirable that we should ask the question properly so that we may enter more intelligently into God’s program and purpose for our lives.  Jesus is “postponing” His return for a reason, and it is important that we, His children, should know what that reason is.

Usually we are being completely selfish when we wonder why Christ does not return sooner.  In fact, we are so blinded to everything except our own welfare that it doesn’t even occur to us that if Christ had returned before this we would not even have been born!  We ought to be as glad as we can be that Christ has delayed His return until now.  What is more, if Jesus had returned in the youthful years of some readers [of this blog], they would not have the joy of seeing their children and grandchildren in the Celestial City.  And don’t you think our grandchildren, in turn would love that same privilege?  But when our narrow family circle is all ready for Christ’s coming we take something of the attitude, “Don’t wait any longer, Lord.  We’re all ready, so you can come right now.”

Jesus tarries for one reason, and that is that “He is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  There are many right within our own family circles who are not ready to meet their Redeemer.  Don’t you care about them?  We should be praying that Jesus will continue to tarry until they have made their peace with Him.

How Does God Talk to me Today?

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.     Hebrews 4:12

God works full-time in the communication business, and He communicates with us in a variety of ways.  The physical world tells us about Him as Creator; the Bible tells us about Him as Redeemer.

Over the centuries, God has even spoken to people directly, often because of their blindness and the way Satan confuses things.  He has explained things in person, through dreams, and even through angels.  But because ordinary people could make mistakes as they passed the message of God along, God set His record straight long ago by putting it into permanent written form.

As He intended, God still uses His powerful Word to communicate to us today.  And we must use this Word to understand His will for us.  This sharp, two edged sword touches us with the influence of the Holy Spirit and brings our minds to the mind of God.

God also clarifies His will for us today in other ways.  He shows us, for example, what kind of wife or husband we should marry.  He also shows us our past experiences, revealing what His will has been for us and that He protects us from any confusion we would have without Him.  What’s more, as our knowledge of His will grows, He show us that He never contradicts Himself.