Our Father

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.  I wonder if Jesus would have used the same expression if non-disciples asked the question? 

Did Jesus ever give two different answers to the question about “How to have life everlasting” or the question of “who are the sons of Abraham” ?  We know that He did.  Jesus not only answer the question but He also spoke to the person asking the question.

It is the same way today, you and I can always depend upon the Lord to do more than answer our questions, we can depend upon His personal love for us that speaks to us, not just to an issue.

"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 'Give us this day our daily bread. 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
(Matthew 6:9-13)

At this time in America you can attend church and often here that we are all God’s children, but are we?  Does the term “Father” have no other meaning than the ability to create?  Do all the fallen angles, the ones that God made that rebelled against Him, also have a Father relationship with God?  Do those humans that neither love or honor God have a son ship with God? Can you see that I have an opinion on this matter?

I think we need to be careful (full of care) not to deceive people.  Just as the religious leaders of Jesus day felt pressure from religion and society, so do we.  Are we teaching and encouraging deception in the name of tolerance or non-offence?  Do we want to make everyone feel welcome to God so we gloss over any conditions required?

In historical theology there are 4 aspects of the Fatherhood of God.

1. The supreme value of man as a child of God.  Human life is unique and priceless.
2. The duty of man as a child of God.  Man owes God a relationship of trust and obedience.
3. The natural deduction of the brotherhood of mankind.
4. Sin has broken the relationship of son ship but in no way impairs the Fatherhood of God.

I believe all these are true but neglect a critical aspect.  “Fatherhood” is a gift of the Kingdom of God!  In the Biblical sense, not just the natural humanitarian sense, to be a son of God you must come into the Kingdom, you must be born again. 

The point is not to battle theology, but to show the path of life to a relationship with God.  I wish it were not so, but I often find people seeking to live a Christian life, and they are yet to be born again.  They love what they know of God, but they have not given up their life to be one of His followers.  God to them is a list of rules.  He may be discovered through the obedience to the church.  And yes, we the people of God do love, honor and obey one another.  A relationship with the people of God is not the same as a relationship with our Father in heaven.

So right now, are you mad or upset about something?  Do you feel like God has forsaken you?  Do you feel like God loves others but does not love you?  This discomfort is a part of your battle to resist the evil one and come to encounter God.  Satan seeks to wreck your life by having you relate to the church or religion but not to our Father himself.  The costliest, most demanding thing you will ever do is give up your life to follow Jesus.  You cannot get away with just saying you did it, your must actually deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him.  The Fatherhood of God is a treasure and each one of us must consider the cost of paying for that treasure.

As this truly happens, and it does happen in stages, you will grow in a true knowledge of God and of His Fatherhood.  Defeat the works of darkness today as you overcome all the temptations to reduce Father God to a prize.  Join the excitement of entering into a relationship with the most powerful being the the universe who can not be controlled, but can be trusted.