Your Heavenly Father Series

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.