By Frank Howell
God who created all things is building a great
eternal family. This understanding has been buried under many other teachings over
the years. God’s people have been called The Church, The Body of Christ, The Army
of God, The Israel of God, The Temple of God and other names. These terms contain
important truths but when they become the primary description of what God is doing
we lose sight of something very important. Each of these terms usually describes
a function we fulfill as the people of God. They also therefore, have a methodology
that goes along with them. The methodology can be life giving or it can become an
empty religious practice. Do you have “religion” or do you have joyful fellowship
with God and other believers? One of the great challenges facing us today is the
lack of joy, participation and spiritual vitality among many believers. Leaders
of local assemblies have worked hard to try and bring forth the life of Christ in
both individuals and corporate meetings. Even so we do not see a people manifesting
the joy, commitment and sacrifice of those in Acts 2:42-47. Unless we come to the
understanding that we are part of the Father’s family we may never get beyond a
religious Christian life.
I believe the American culture, our perception of what the church looks like and our method of building are at the root of the trouble. This short tract will look at the “Father’s Family” as the centerpiece of what God is working towards.
The culture of America is saturated with education
and technology. This contributes to the productivity and creativity that has made
America the most advanced nation on earth. The process of creating and producing
gives rise to organization, programs of management and expectations based on measurable
results. We can clearly define the “bottom line” and revise plans accordingly. This
is how we view the past and attempt to shape the future. Success has come to mean
things are moving forward.
This is the American mindset, but we should not
assume it is a Biblical one. The American methodical approach to life has built
great technology, machinery and order but it has sacrificed family and relational
love in the process. Energies are poured into reaching the goal of success and self-fulfillment.
These are material, man-centered goals. They will never bring fulfillment into the
heart of man because he is designed for something much greater.
American Christians are so immersed in this culture
that they don’t see how it shapes their perception of the methods and goals that
are associated with the purpose of God. This is a hard pill to swallow because we
tend to believe that we have a correct view of life and the scriptures. Biblical
history shows how culture can infect God’s people. Israel was commanded to completely
wipe out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan starting with the conquest under
Joshua. When they failed to do this, they began to absorb elements of the Canaanite
culture into their own. This started with friendships leading to intermarriage and
finally acceptance of their gods and sinful lifestyle. The LORD judged them after
many years of warnings given through the prophets and deported them from the land.
They were affected by the culture around them. Eventually, after seventy years,
they returned and began to hold fast to the way of life prescribed by the Law. They
finally rejected idols and pagan lifestyles but eventually degenerated into empty
religious exercises.
During the New Testament period the early church
began with Jewish believers. The Jews were hated by the nations because they refused
to be absorbed into the prevailing culture. They were a separate people. It must
be noted that their faith was also a complete lifestyle. When the Lord revealed
His plan of salvation was to include gentile believers, elements of Jewish culture
and religion were soon imposed upon them. This gave rise to the council in Jerusalem
in Acts 15. It is interesting to note that God baptized the hearers in the house
of Cornelius before Peter finished his preaching and made an altar call in Acts
14. This was to demonstrate His acceptance of repentant gentiles and to cut through
all cultural and religious barriers.
The book of Galatians was written to deal with
cultural and religious issues that were influencing the gentile churches in a damaging
way. In later New Testament times the book of Colossians addressed the Gnostic heresy
from the Greek culture. The point is that prevalent local religious and cultural
beliefs were seeping into the church. When Christianity was legalized under the
Roman Emperor Constantine, all kinds of non-biblical beliefs and practices swept
into the church. We would be wise to see the pattern here. It is natural for people
saved in a particular time and culture to bring their way of life into the church.
American culture is no exception. God’s eternal purpose is not dependant upon education
and technology. These things have a potential to be of great service in the kingdom
of God. They also can create non-biblical beliefs and practices when we depend on
them. While God has, and can use these things to further His purpose, they do not
define His ways or His plans.
Therefore it is crucial to take a step back from our viewpoint and carefully consider what is revealed in the Word of God. It is the Word alone that can separate the work of man and the work of God. It can separate culture from kingdom. It can divide as deep as soul and spirit (Heb. 4:12). If we would humble ourselves enough and take a few minutes to consider the most basic, simple thing that God has put in place, it would radically affect every idea and activity we believe to be important.
I remember running out of gas in my car several times over the years. First I checked out all kinds of possible problems under the hood. Then I discovered a problem that was quite humbling. My car was out of gas! I had overlooked the obvious. While we are busy examining many complex facets of what is holding back the church we may have overlooked the obvious.
When God created man upon the earth he was a marvelous
creature. Adam was complete in himself, or so he thought. In naming the animals
Adam realized there was no “help mate” suitable for him. There was no corresponding
creature. He was alone in a way that was “not good,” even though God was with him.
Out of man, God created woman. Man would no longer be alone. Together they would
form a completeness that was not possible in Adam as an individual. In addition
to this, reproduction was now possible, enabling them to fill the earth and subdue
it according to the commandment of God. Everything was now in place and God’s opinion
of it was: “very good.” Then disobedience, sin, and death entered the picture. Things
were no longer “very good” but the eternal purpose of God had not changed. They
gave birth to their first son Cain, and “family” was now a reality. It is interesting
to consider that family, in the sense of birth and parenting, had its beginning
in the aftermath of sin and its consequences. Personal fellowship with God was damaged.
The first murder followed and you know the rest. We have read this so often we are
bored with it but we must take note of this pattern or we will not see the purpose
of God. Consider that the universe was created out of nothing by the power of God
and he chose to use the pattern of family as the order of things.
God is our Father. This is not just presented in the Bible to conjure up thoughts of an old man with a white beard touching fingers with Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. This is not just one of the many descriptive names of God that we may find in the Bible. This is the most central idea we need to have about the person and purpose of God! God is the Father. Let us consider a few verses of scripture.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
(Ephesians 1:3-14 NASB)
The English word “God” used in the New
Testament is translated from the Greek word “theos.” This word means that which
is divine. In my mind “theos” is a transcendent, self sufficient, never changing,
awesome, spiritual being who is beyond tangible measurement and classification.
This is why every culture, and individual can cling to a different idea of God.
For Christians, God is the infinite one under contemplation by the finite ones He
has created. Yet this infinite one is also the “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
A father is one who is the originator, overseer,
and manager of a family. This is both personal and purposeful. It is comprehendible
to the finite ones whom He has created in His image. The Father decided to relate
to humanity in a family way before the foundation of the world. Man was created
out of His “Father-ness” not just His “God-ness.” He has not left us with the task
of defining who He is and what He is like. He has defined himself.
Jesus left heaven and the glory of the Fathers
presence to be born on earth. Through his death, burial and resurrection he has
become both Lord and Christ. Believers accept this Lord Jesus as their king, and
master. He is the boss! The Father has given him first place in everything. This
is God’s order in His family. Jesus is the One anointed with the Holy Spirit who
abides perfectly and permanently in Him. This One was long prophesied of, and waited
for, throughout Biblical history.
He has blessed us in every way in Christ in those
heavenly, infinite spiritual realms where He Himself abides. This is better than
the stuff we have on earth that only gives us fleeting happiness. Our Father gives
us true lasting peace and joy. He adopted us as His own sons into His family through
Jesus Christ. This adoption was “to Himself,” a very close personal place of relationship.
He is not a father who abandons his responsibilities but has designed the perfect
plan to take care of His family. He is kind, in disposition, not mean. He does not
react like a seething caldron of anger waiting to erupt.
Our Father accomplished this adoption through
the blood of Christ that enabled our sins to be wiped away. This blood has also
purchased us out of the enslavement we were in. Now He has dispensed heaping loads
of His grace, releasing good things that we don’t deserve, all over us. What a loving
Father!
Since we are His very own kids He is giving us
the ability to learn to recognize what was once a great mystery: He desires a big
family! Because of the fatherly kindness of His heart He decided to reveal
this mystery to us through the life and death of Jesus His Son. Now He is administrating,
which is to manage the economy of His household, until the season arrives when He
will gather the whole family together in the “Anointed Son,” Jesus. This includes
all of His children in heaven and on earth. It is going to be an awesome family
reunion that will even include a wedding! What father does not want his son to get
married?
Even though we are not there yet, we have already
been given an inheritance. The family possessions have already been divided up among
the kids. There will be no bickering because His plan and the energy of His sovereign
power has already done it. Jewish believers are the first to praise him about this.
The rest of us who have heard about what Jesus did and believed, were immediately
marked out in Christ. Now when the Father looks at the mass of humanity to pick
out His kids He can see the Holy Spirit with them. It is obvious they belong to
him! When we, the kids, realize the Holy Spirit is with us we enjoy the first taste
of all the Father has set aside for us until He fully claims our bodies to be with
him forever! We are not just babies, or infants, but full-fledged sons; sharing
in what our older brother Jesus has won for us on Calvary. Wow, are we going to
praise our Dad too!
This exposition of these verses is based on the definitions of the Greek words. It was intended to emphasize the “Father focus” that is in this section of scripture. It is not intended to be a perfect word for word rendering. Obviously some statements are dramatized for impact, yet we desperately need to be impacted in our day! We have lost the concept of father and family in our society.
Satan is effectively destroying the bulk of families
in this nation. This has been done handily through divorce, a culture of teen rebellion,
the music and drug culture, and the increase of open sexuality and homosexuality
as an acceptable life style. Few people can define what a “family” is composed of,
what is normal, and how it behaves in our society. Please note this has taken place
in a society with growing education, science, and technology! These are man’s best
efforts! Due to the rejection of the Biblical model, growing up has become a matter
of survival instead of a matter of love, close relationships, and joy. With that,
we have lost the concept of divine family we need to have to make life worthwhile.
Yet the eternal purpose of God has not changed. The Father is drawing His family
out of the chaos of the world’s cultures through a salvation that is an adoption.
But the kids do not know what it means to be God’s children, much less “sons”! Many
are unwilling to grow into the maturity that must be possessed to avail them of
more of their inheritance on this side of heaven. They are not leaving the chaos
of the world behind but bringing it into the Father’s house and so cannot grasp
the mystery of the family.
The Father is going to have mature sons. He has
predetermined this for those whom He has adopted. They will be conformed into the
image of Jesus, who is “the first-born among many brethren” (Rom 8:29). God
is going to put an end to family feuds and bickering among the kids. Child training
and discipline are part of His process. We will find ourselves in situations that
peel away the veneer of our lives so that we can see where we need to grow up. God
will bring correction and strong discipline at times into our lives so that we will
change. This can bring confusion or even despair into the hearts of many of the
children and especially to those who only see “God,” and not “Father.” When we are
in a trial and believe in a God who is only a transcendent, omniscient power trying
to clean us up so we don’t dirty up His heaven, we are not thinking about the Father's
family. It is because of His great love, personal involvement, and intimate attention
with each of His precious children that He brings revelation, discipline and transformation
into their lives! God will not send us away to finishing school! Rather it is the
joy of His heart to personally conform us to the image of Jesus!
A “Father’s family” perspective must be ingrained in us if we are to have a local congregation that is what He desires. We often measure success by the number attending, large buildings and progressive programs we have. The Father measures success by how much we have become like Jesus and how we relate as a family. If we are growing in these areas while we are growing in number and having successful programs that is fine! Consider the impact of “Father's family” on the Christian life and ministry.
Currently the process church growth starts with
obtaining decisions for Christ. Then we assist people in finding their gifts and
place in The Body. As they are trained, they serve with the goal of church growth
in mind. A few of these are called to the “5 fold ministry” and receive special
training. These become the future leaders. This model fits well within our educational,
technological mindset.
The “Father's family” is a different vision and
method of growth. The creation of a natural family includes birth, growing up, and
eventually becoming a parent. If we transfer this idea to God’s spiritual family
it will change our method and how we expend our energy and resources. Let us look
at these areas more closely.
1. Birth
There are many different methods of evangelism.
But there is only one result of evangelism.
He came to His own, and those who were His
own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right
to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
(John 1:11-13)
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:3-7)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3)
Salvation is about joining the family. One must
be born in order be a natural child and to carry the family name. It follows that
spiritual birth would be needed to become a child of God and to carry His family
name. We become children of God at the moment spiritual life begins in us. Adoption
is another prominent word used in the New Testament to describe our salvation.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery
leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which
we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15)
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having
the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting
eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)
Who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption
as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple
service and the promises, (Romans 9:4)
In order that He might redeem those who were
under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:5)
He predestined us to adoption as sons through
Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, (Ephesians
1:5)
The idea of “adoption” defines the legal steps God has taken to make us His children by right. It gives us an inheritance, confidence to call God “Daddy,” and imparts strength to stand against Satan. The Devil can no longer own us and oppress us. We belong to God!
Adoption also gives us something to look forward
to when Jesus returns to claim us. It is clear that we do not qualify to be a child
of God through natural means. The blood of Jesus has qualified us for adoption (John
1:12-13).
When we view evangelism as less than joining the
family of God, the results will be discouraging. There is an immediate joy that
someone has “prayed a prayer of salvation” then frustration because they do not
attend church! Who would go through all the trouble of having a baby and then leave
it at the hospital? Yet we have done just that. We must lead people in salvation
to a new birth and adoption in such a way that they know they are part of the family
of God. Attending church should be understood as a family event and therefore a
joyful time. It is like attending the family picnic and visiting with all the brothers
and sisters in the Father’s presence.
2. Growing up
As much as some of us would like to return to
the happier parts of our childhood, life demands that we grow up! This means we
become self-sufficient by having the maturity to manage the basic responsibilities
of life.
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all
guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure
milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted
the kindness of the Lord. (1 Peter 2:1-3)
We all start out as spiritual babes, but we are
to “grow in respect to salvation.” The Scriptures, when anointed by the Holy Spirit,
are our food. Stillborn and very sickly babies are the only ones who do not cry
for food when they are hungry. Yet amazingly enough we have so called “new believers”
who are uninterested in reading and digesting the Word of God! How can this be?
Can they really be spiritually alive and not want to eat to survive? We must take
this problem seriously and find out why such people claim to be Christians. Then
we may be able to lead them into a true personal encounter with the living Christ
that is a real spiritual birth. Then they will be hungry for the word of God!
In a natural family mothers and fathers both play
an important role. Parenting is done out of relationship. There is a spiritual counterpart
to the natural family. This is the relational aspect of spiritual growth. It is
interesting to see how the Apostle Paul functioned in this very same way.
For we never came with flattering speech, as
you know, nor with a pretext for greed-God is witness- nor did we seek glory from
men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might
have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing
mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having thus a fond affection for you,
we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own
lives, because you had become very dear to us. For you recall, brethren, our labor
and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you,
we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly
and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know
how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father
would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls
you into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:5-12)
Please notice the way in which Paul speaks of
the tender loving care of a mother and the exhorting, encouraging, and imploring
of a father. He did not exercise some kind of harsh, distant, apostolic authority.
His goal was to produce a God pleasing life in the Thessalonian believers through
personal parental love.
Mothers give the initial nurturing care to babies.
They also administer tender gentle help and healing for injuries or rashes that
are common to infants. Mothers also do a lot of physical cleanup and hygiene! Spiritually
speaking there is an aspect of shepherding that patiently brings new members of
the family thorough the beginning stages of life. This can include bible study,
prayer, imparting wisdom and especially demonstrating loving support when the new
life is more difficult than expected. There are always messes that need to be cleaned
up due to immaturity or ignorance. This should not be a cause for frustration because
it is natural at this stage of spiritual life. Fathering is also an important part
of child development. Fathers provide security, stability, discipline, and accountability
for ones actions. In a spiritual sense there are serious matters of spiritual life
that must be worked out in every believer. These are to be done with the same love
a father has for his own son. Shepherding includes protecting sheep from the wolves
and guiding them to healthy pastures even when they don’t understand why it is necessary.
Unfortunately there have been many unbalanced discipleship programs that have done
more harm than good in the church. If we were to disciple people through the “Father's
Family” viewpoint there would be a proper balance.
The goal of natural parenting is to enable children
to become capable of living their own life in a successful way. They move from being
dependant infants to independent adults. Spiritual parenting is working toward helping
new believers to truly know the Lord and to be able to live the kind of life He
has planned for them. We are assisting and directing people to become the disciples
of Jesus! That is why we do not point them to ourselves for all the answers. When
someone has learned to follow Jesus, it demonstrates maturity in Sonship. Spiritual
independence means that each one of us has the ability to walk out our personal
relationship with God. Each believer must know how to find the wisdom and grace
to live godly lives. But this does not mean they are independent from the Father’s
family!
Every family has things that must be done. There
is laundry, cleaning, cooking, fixing the house and caring for one another. Balanced
families have “chores” that are assigned to the children. This not only keeps one
member of the family from being overburdened, it provides training to serve. Chores
also teach children how to carry out responsibilities. As children mature, they
get beyond just meeting their own needs. They are able to assist in meeting the
needs of others in the family.
From whom the whole body, being fitted and
held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working
of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself
in love. (Ephesians 4:16)
This is how God’s family or The Body builds
itself up in love. Each one of us has spiritual gifts and “chores” that we are called
to do. Faithfulness to these things will produce a growth and health in the church.
The few will not be burned out, the many will learn that they are needed and all
will contribute to the success of the family. Responsibility will be learned and
our Father in heaven will reward us.
There is also the educational aspect of bringing
up children. Our kids go to school and receive instruction in many subjects. Some
of these will prove indispensable to their careers later in life. This is also a
time when they will learn what they enjoy and excel in. We must take seriously the
task of teaching young believers who God is and what His principals for living are.
This is crucial if we expect the family to get along well together, and for individuals
to contribute their special part to the larger family. If we instruct with the desire
to produce a functional family in mind we may well have a different priority in
what we teach. Useless information will fall by the wayside and principals for maintaining
a good relationship with the Father and with the rest of His kids will move to the
forefront. This is an especially important area in our culture. The church is full
of head knowledge but is lacking in the simple wisdom of how to use it in a way
that serves the family and releases the power of God. The educational system in
our society tends to produce self-sufficient and often self-centered people. Jesus
is central in the Kingdom of God we are not! The Father is going to remove everything
in the family that is not according to His pattern. Self-less-ness
is the rule in the kingdom!
3. Reproduction
When people become biologically mature they are
able to reproduce. Unfortunately our culture is full of people that are emotionally
and relationally immature. This produces all kinds of reproductive problems. Many
lives are aborted and families are broken apart due to immaturity, and irresponsibility.
When mature people marry and live out covenant commitment with each other, children
are born into the nurturing, training environment that God intended.
Mature Christians are those who can reproduce
the character of Christ in young believers. Paul the Apostle put it this way:
My children, with whom I am again in labor
until Christ is formed in you. (Galatians 4:19)
I am not talking about evangelism! No believer should wait until they have attained to some deep level of maturity to share their faith. Any kid can, and should, tell people about what a wonderful father they have found! What I am talking about is taking on the responsibility of a spiritual parent in the life of a new believer. We are desperately in need of those who can reproduce their ministries, and their maturity in young believers. If it can be done “as unto the Lord” the Kingdom of God will grow exponentially in the earth. When it is done “unto myself” for personal kingdom building, dysfunctional family will be the result. Who brings up kids for the purpose of controlling their lives when they are 35 years old? Wise parents hope their children will surpass all of their accomplishments in life. This is what makes parents joyful and proud to point out their children. It breaks the smothering power of possessiveness. May the Lord help us all to have the wisdom and grace to train and then release the children of God into His eternal purpose for them. Our reward will be in seeing them succeed and in hearing a “well done” from our Father in heaven.
Now that we are God’s adopted children we have
started a process of renewing our mind & rebuilding our life according to our
relationship Him. People have had very different experiences of an earthly father.
Some of us never knew our earthly fathers. Thanks to modern psychology, our tendency
is to define the Fatherhood of God by our earthly experience. If we do this we are
allowing our culture and a word association to control who we believe God to be.
Fallen man at his best behavior barely begins to demonstrate the love, goodness,
purpose and compassion of our Heavenly Father. On my best day I am not a perfect
father - try as I might! We all need our mind renewed by the Word of God in the
area of the Fatherhood of God. Earthly things can never perfectly represent heavenly
things. Man’s earthly nature cannot perfectly define God’s nature. Earthly experience
cannot fully define Kingdom Experience. If we allow our past to control our future
we do our Father in heaven a great injustice. Do not define God by man, but discover
God and put man in his proper perspective.
Here are some scriptures to meditate on describing
God our Father:
Your Heavenly Father sends you peace. Most
New Testament letters open with the statement, “Peace to you from God our Father.”
To all in Rome who are loved by God and called
to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus
Christ. (Romans 1:7 NIV) (See also: 1 Cor 1:3, 2:cor 1:2, Gal 1:3,
Eph 6:23, Phil 1:2, Col 1:2, 1 Thess 1:1, 2 Thess1:2, 1 Tim 1:2, 2 Tim 1:2, Titus
1:4 & Philemon 3)
Your Heavenly Father is the source of all compassion and the God of all comfort.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians
1:3 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father promises to be a Father
to you in an active sense.
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father willed to sacrifice Jesus
so you could be forgiven and rescued.
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins
to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
(Galatians 1:4 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father gave you every spiritual
blessing.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing
in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father gives you wisdom and revelation
to know God and Christ.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so
that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father has qualified you to share
in the inheritance of His Kingdom.
Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified
you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians
1:12 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father, who never changes, gives you every perfect gift.
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting
shadows. (James 1:17 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father has given you spiritual
life because He is merciful.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father will judge your work fairly
so you must respect Him.
Since you call on a Father who judges each
man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
(1 Peter 1:17 NIV)
Your Heavenly Father has lavished His great
love on you.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1 NIV) (See also Jude 1:1)
It is my sincere hope that you will reconsider
your concept of God as your Father as well as the Christian life and ministry. We
have a Father in heaven that is working in ways beyond our imagination. He has chosen
intimately include us in His eternal purpose! It would be profitable to ask yourself
a few questions.
• Do I believe God is my loving heavenly Father?
• Do I see my salvation as adoption into the family of God?
• Am I hungry for the Word and growing up to maturity?
• Am I doing the family “chores” the Father has appointed for me?
• Am I overdue in joining the ranks of those who will be a spiritual parent?
• Do I have
the wisdom and grace to reproduce?
Seek the Lord in these things and He will show
you the answer!
Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and
you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
Scripture (unless otherwise noted) taken from
the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975,
1977, by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture taken from HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.