I was very blessed with
wonderful Christian parents, but I’m not so naïve to think that
everyone has
shared the same blessing. I’ve seen too much while living in this world and
know that is not true of far too many.
The world has changed much
since I was a young man. In the 21st century it is not at all
uncommon for many to not even know who their father is. It is also not uncommon
that many have suffered from the hands of a tyrant known as their father. Many
step fathers and live-ins have entered the homes of America and have caused
great anguish upon the innocent.
Before I go any further, I do
want to make clear that many fathers and step fathers have been caring and
loving parents. Unfortunately though, the ‘bad seed’ is far too numerous in our
culture today, and this is where we have a problem.
God portrays Himself as the
Heavenly Father, and rightly so to those who come to Him through His Son. True
Christians know, or at least they should know, that God their Father is a
loving God. Even when we are disciplined by Him, He does so in love, not to
hurt us, but to help and protect us.
We Christians know and have
experienced the indescribable love that He has shown in His provision of our
salvation and adoption. But what happens when trying to tell an unbeliever
about our Heavenly Father when they have had a bad earthly father? They
instantly make the comparison, and conclude that God is always ready to beat
them over the head if they mess up or will take advantage of them in some way.
Being a father is very
important, whether you are the natural father or step-father. Those men who
have brought harm upon the souls of the children in their care will be judged
by God, and their punishment will be severe. Even hardened criminals in prison
do not let those go unpunished.
“If anyone causes one of
these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for
them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the
depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
To place upon an innocent
child’s mind that God the Father is a tyrant because their earthly father is a
tyrant is a dangerous place to be. It sickens decent people to think of some of
the things evil men have done to the innocent. The evil that is perpetrated on
some children could cause a child to grow up never coming to the knowledge that
the Heavenly Father is a loving God.
There is one solution to this
problem that God has provided.
Jesus said, “If you really
know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have
seen him.” (John 14:7)
There it is. We can know
exactly what the Heavenly Father is like by looking at Jesus. This is one
reason for really studying the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and
sharing them with the young. We should constantly remind them that “Would you
like to know what God is like? Let us look at Jesus. He said that He and the
Father are the same.”
Many adults today suffer from
bad experiences in their youth with ungodly fathers. Even some Christians think
God is always ready to bring judgment down on them if they fail Him. This just
isn’t so. God is not some foul-mouthed, unshaven, jerk with evil intentions
toward you. He is not holding a club over his head just waiting for an
opportunity to beat us with it when we don’t toe the line.
“For if, while we were God’s
enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more,
having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10)
Even as His enemies (prior to
being saved) He loved us so much He died for us and paid for our sins so that
we could come to Him and be saved through Jesus.
“For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
If we look at Jesus life we
will see what God is like. Why, because Jesus is 100% man, but He is also 100%
God.
When we put our faith in
Jesus Christ, He wraps us in His own righteousness. We are as pure as He is,
not because we don’t sin, but because He accepted our faith in Him and gave us
His righteousness.
Experiencing real, true love
that comes from God in Jesus Christ, we are so grateful we don’t want to sin
against Him anymore. Unfortunately, we do, since we still live in these earthly
bodies. What happens? Do we lose our salvation? Absolutely, unequivocally, no,
we do not. We do harm our relationship with Him though, but God loves us so
much, He has said that if we are honest with Him and just ask His forgiveness,
He will forgive us and restore us to a most pleasant relationship with
Him.
“If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
If you are not a Christian,
God is not your Heavenly Father. He is your Creator, but not your Father. To
the Christian though, we have a Father in Heaven that loves us more than we
could ever know.
One more thing; never compare
your earthly father with the Heavenly Father, because no matter how good an earthly
father you may have, he will never measure up to the Heavenly Father. If you,
as I did, have had a good earthly father, that may be hard to swallow, but the
Heavenly Father is so much more.
Earthly fathers are not
perfect, even the best ones. As a father, I made plenty of mistakes, but my
Heavenly Father has never made a mistake in any way with me. He is always
perfect, and I can’t wait to be with Him in Heaven.
If you have previously had a
negative attitude about your Heavenly Father as a Christian, I pray you will
see Him in a different light. Look at Jesus.
If you are not a Christian,
look at Jesus. The Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to come to Him, but
you must come through His Son.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
