“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and God of all comfort.” (2 Cor 1:3)
For some people mentioning the word Father bring joy. Other people the name Father brings pain. However, that is how the Bible describes God. He is mentioned as Father 15 times in the Old Testament. In the Gospels alone it is over 150 times. What is interesting in the Gospels is that Jesus is the one who calls God Father almost every time. This is important for a few reasons.
First, it shows the relationship we have with God because of Christ. God is caring and not distant. Some people never experienced a good relationship with their own Father. So when the bible uses this term it is hard to imagine a person who is caring, consistent and faithful. Jesus, demonstrated that we are to address God as Father. He gave that example teaching the disciples how to pray. It was a sign of affection and passion.
The most important part about God being our Father is the love he has for us. God loves us perfectly and affectionately. For some people that thought is foreign. They have only had the experience of wrath, neglect, and pain from a Father figure. Those memories cause many to run away from the Father instead of run towards him.
However, God the Father gives hope! He sent his son Jesus to die for your sins and my sins. Our earthly fathers may have been good or they could have been bad. We must remember that God the Father is perfect. That should be a cause for celebration and joy. When we believe in him as Father it should cause a passionate response in our souls. One that stirs us to follow him.
We are called to be disciples of Jesus. Passionate followers of Jesus Christ. It is hard to follow someone you do not love or think can love you. So I challenge you. Do you view God as Father? If you don’t view God as Father, pursue the scriptures. Let them show you how deep God’s love is, for you.
Ask yourself, this question. Does his passionate love for you move your soul? If it doesn’t, it should. He is a Father unlike any other. A Father who loves you unconditionally.
