Father? Romans 8.14-17

“Father”  . . . what does the word bring to mind for you?  Do you think of your dad—responsible, nurturing and loving?  ‘Or your dad—angry, critical, or not present.  Do you think of yourself—“Dad” being one of the hats you wear—one of your roles?  And if so,

       what adjectives would you attach to yourself as a dad?

Do you transfer any of these qualities to your image of God the Father?  Hmmm . . . perhaps some thinking is in order.  ‘Like—if your dad was harsh, critical, angry, and punitive—do you think of God the Father that way?  Paul writes,

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.     So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.  Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”  For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.  And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”  Romans 8.14-17, NLT

God is our loving Father, whose love for us knows no bounds.  Infinite compassion, unconditional love, everlasting forgiveness – these are divine realities, emanating from a Father who is the creator of the universe … ‘O Lord, please open the eyes of our hearts, open our minds so we might begin to grasp your love for us!  For in your love is our completeness, precious Father. Amen’

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!1  I seem to like anything that is lavished!--you know, whipped cream, ice cream, good-smelling body lotions, encouragement, etc.  Yet God uses that rich word to describe how he loves us…he lavishes his love on us. That is beyond wonderful.

And we know and rely on the love God has for us.1  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.2  Nothing can separate us from God’s love . . . however, we allow man-made barriers to be erected, and then we do not feel his love.  Things like:

>falling prey to busy-ness, whereas we are told, “Be still, and know that I am God.”3  Noise, constant motion, and rushing about do not lend themselves to resting in God’s love.  “Come unto Me,” Jesus said, “and I will give you rest.”4  Ah, the beautiful invitation of our God.  “He makes us lie down in green pastures . . . he restores our soul.”5

>forays into sin – In contrast, we are to abide in him-- “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”6 Knowingly walking into sin creates a felt barrier between us and God.

>believing the lies of the enemy –There is the cloak of guilt he likes to keep us under, when in reality, our Father, is the loving, watching, waiting father ready to embrace and forgive his wayward children, setting us free from guilt and shame.  There are lies that have been told to us by other people—about ourselves and maybe about God, too, that keep us from him: Christians hurting other Christians or would-be believers.  These keep us from knowing God’s love, and even as I type those words, my heart aches about this travesty.  ‘O God, forgive us for hypocrisy, being merciless, or lacking compassion; forgive us for hurting others through our judgmental thinking.  O God, may it not be that we would keep others from knowing your matchless love! Amen’

Yes, the Father’s love is one of mercy, forgiveness, grace, truth, joy, and compassion.  Without experiencing it, we will look our whole lives for it.  But when we find God’s love, when we discover the depths of its treasure, we will mine it like gold, and let it change us. 

Father?  Oh yes, your loving heavenly Father!

Christine

podcast: 

     1   1 John 4.16

     2     John 15.14

     3     Psalm 46.10

     4     Matthew 11.29

     5     Psalm 23                                                                               6  John 15.9-10