Wednesday, August 8, 2007
OUR FATHER
These two simple words from the Lord's prayer are a treasure trove of comfort for us. We would note first that in both the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds and here in the Lord's prayer, the Almighty God makes it clear that we are to view Him as Father. Not kindly, half blind, hard of hearing, feeble old Grandfather. Not joking, teasing, tickling, jolly old odd uncle god. He is God The Father, with every trait that a father has. Which means He has begotten us (adopted us through the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ). He has provided for us, preserved us, hears us, answers us, has time for us, comes to watch every ball game, every place we go and every thing we do. He disciplines us and admonishes and teaches us that we might be like Him and so inherit eternal life.
He is our Father. John writes, (1 John 3:1): "What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God!" We are not orphans! We are His sons, His children by faith in Christ, which means for us that we have access to all that is His through Christ. We live in His house, under His roof, or as the Psalmist says, "under the shadow of His wings". By this word we are united as a family with all the saints of the Holy Invisible Church! We are not alone. We are not strangers and foreigners, but by the grace and love of God our Father for Jesus sake we are His own dear children and heirs of everlasting salvation.
