Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HAVING GOD AS YOUR FATHER - Having God as your Father changes everything about you. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden, not far from the empty tomb. At first, she didn’t recognize Jesus, but He made Himself known to her as the risen Lord. Then, He introduced her to a most profound concept with these words, “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God (John 20:17). Jesus was saying that because of what He had done, God could be her Father as well as His Father. As a result of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is now possible for you to be reconciled to God as your Heavenly Father.
THE NEED FOR BELONGING - There is only one kind of family relationship that can ever completely fulfill your need for belonging, and that is the family of God. Becoming a part of God’s heavenly family provides the only opportunity for fulfillment of this kind. God offers each of us a place in His heavenly family. “Come out from among them, and be separate . . . and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17–18). How does this affect you personally?
GOD CAN BE YOUR FATHER - How can God become your father? You must have a new birth to get a new life. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are born again of the Spirit of God. At that moment, your Creator God becomes your Heavenly Father. You become a part of the grandest family of all—the family of God. Now, God is your Father and you are His child. Paul writes, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5). People often wonder what God’s will is for their lives. This verse makes it very clear regarding at least one aspect of His will. What does God want?
GOD THE FATHER WANTS YOU - God wants to bring you into a vital union of intimate relationship with Himself. Therefore, He made provision for you to be a part of His family. When you accept Jesus Christ, God adopts you into His family. It gives God great pleasure for you to be one of His children. He is delighted to be your Father, and to lavish His tender loving care upon you. As a child of God, you are now the recipient of the Heavenly Father’s unconditional love and acceptance. Being a member of the family of God also provides you with a permanent place of belonging. God Himself has chosen you. Therefore, you are needed, wanted, and very special to Him!
THE FATHER'S AFFECTION - When Jesus Christ was baptized, the Heavenly Father announced, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God the Father affectionately referred to His firstborn as Son. He now calls you by the very same name as your Lord. “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). You have a new name!
A TERM OF ENDEARMENT - Astounding, but it’s true—God calls you His son or daughter. This term of endearment, which the Father used for His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is now bestowed upon all of His adopted children. “That we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:5). Yes, you have been adopted into the family of God. So, you are His child, and He’s the proud Papa! “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). The word Abba is from the ancient Aramaic language commonly spoken in Jesus’ day. It is an intimate, affectionate term, somewhat like our word daddy. Because you have been granted the same filial relationship as Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit causes you to view God as Abba, Father—Daddy, God.
THE ROYAL TREATMENT
THE PRIVILEGE OF SONSHIP - Through Christ, we become sons and daughters of the living God. The privilege of sonship is the greatest honor that the Father can bestow upon you. He has chosen you to be a part of His family, to be one of His very own children. Sonship is not something you have to wait until you die and go to heaven to receive. It begins right now. “Now are we the sons of God” (1 John 3:2). This is an amazing fact! Every time I consider it, I am overwhelmed. Sometimes when I attempt to share this with others, I get all chocked up and teary-eyed. I am deeply moved that God has granted you and me the privilege of being His sons and daughters. You might want to take a moment to reflect on this very fact.
A FAMILY MEMBER - When you became part of God’s family, you entered His Heavenly kingdom—one that is a spiritual kingdom. It is not of this world. Your Heavenly Father has ushered you into this Heavenly realm by a spiritual birth. “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
GOD'S KINGDOM HAS COME - God’s kingdom has come into your heart and your heart has become His throne. Your heart is now the abode of the King of kings. You are seated together with Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6). Although you are still physically in this world, you are no longer of this world. You are now part of God’s Heavenly kingdom—the family of God. All hail King Jesus!
The ULTIMATE FAMILY - Regrettably, most Christians have yet to comprehend that they are part of the ultimate family. This is a more common dilemma than you might think. For instance, a good friend of mine belonged to one of the most exclusive private clubs in the nation. Membership in this club had been a family tradition for several generations, so it was very important for him to be a member of such an august group. However, once he began to discover his true significance as a part of the family of God, with his true identity in Christ, the club lost its appeal. He realized he no longer needed that Earthly status symbol, so he gave up his membership, which was a huge decision.
DECISION TIME - Perhaps you need to make a similar decision. Stop trying to get your needs met from lesser things when you are a part of the greatest One. So, settle it once and for all, when you receive Christ, you belong to the most elite group in the world—God’s family! The beauty of this is that God’s family is all-inclusive. Being a part of His family is available to everyone. As the father of the prodigal son illustrates, God’s arms are open wide. The invitation is clear, whosoever will may come (Revelations 22:17). It is a great privilege to be a part of God’s family and to have God as your Heavenly Father! Enjoy!
“The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14–15).
Dr. Lewis Gregory Source Ministries © 2016
Taken from Introducing THE NEW YOU - https://www.sourceministries.net/go/resources/the-new-you/
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