You Are A Child Of God Series

It’s Fathers day, and tonight I want to simply remind you that you are a child of God.

We are all children no matter how old we are. You and I, in a sense, will always be a child.

Biologically all of us have an earthly father. Spiritually we have a heavenly Father.

You and I did not just appear in this world as fully grown, fully developed adults. All of us were physically born into this world and without an earthly mother and father, none of us would exist. Without our Heavenly Father, who began the whole creative process, we would not exist.

Listen to the words of Proverbs 3:11-12. The New Living Translation is “My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”

There seems to be something within many people that rebels against authority and in the 21st Century people want autonomy. Rules, regulations, laws, commandments, some people would rather live without them. Obedience, respect, correction, and discipline all seem to be alien concepts in the modern world and the mantra is live how you want, do what you want.

It’s probably safe to say that no earthly parent is a perfect parent. Parents are human, fallible, imperfect.

Father God is the perfect Heavenly parent. He always knows what is right and good and appropriate.

“Don’t be upset when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” This is not a negative statement, it is an encouraging Word: the Lord corrects those He loves.

Those of us who are parents know that correction can be a positive thing. I remember when my children were learning to spell and learning maths. There were times when they needed to be helped when they needed to be corrected, and the result was accurate spelling or correct answers.

Some things are learned, some things are discovered, some things are ignored, and some things we go through in life require us to seek wisdom greater than our own.

In all of our own efforts, may we never forget we have a heavenly Father to whom we are responsible.

A heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us far more than any earthly parent ever could.

The Bible teaches us, in James 1:17-18, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.”

It is a humbling thought. Every good and every perfect gift we have comes from Father God. Humbling, yet at the same time, a liberating concept. We are in a real relationship, with the divine God who gives us every breath we breathe.

Our existence is dependant on Him. Our Salvation is dependant on Him. We are His children:

we are dependent upon His mercy,

we are dependent upon His love,

we are dependent upon His daily provision,

we are dependent upon His grace,

we are dependent upon His wisdom.

As children of God, we need His wisdom.

We are biological children of earthly parents and a spiritual child of our heavenly Father.

I can not tell you if my biological father was a man of wisdom. In the first nine years of my life I only saw him three times. But, I can tell you my heavenly father is wise, He shares His wisdom with me every day as I read His Word.

The central theme of the third chapter of The Book of Proverbs is wisdom. Listen to Proverbs 3:1-18,

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.

Store my commands in your heart.

2 If you do this, you will live many years,

and your life will be satisfying.

3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!

Tie them around your neck as a reminder.

Write them deep within your heart.

4 Then you will find favour with both God and people,

and you will earn a good reputation.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

6 Seek His will in all you do,

and He will show you which path to take.

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.

Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

8 Then you will have healing for your body

and strength for your bones.

9 Honour the Lord with your wealth

and with the best part of everything you produce.

10 Then He will fill your barns with grain,