Jesus began the Lord’s prayer with “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9). Certainly, He had the right to begin with “My Father”. Afterall, He is God’s only begotten Son. (John 3:16, John 1:18, I John 4:9). He has every right to call Him Father. But, Jesus began the prayer with “Our Father”. Do you really know God as Father? Some would try to say that we are all God’s Children. Certainly, we were all created in God’s image; however, sin entered the world and separated us from an intimate relationship with our creator. So, how can we come to really know God as our Father? Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). Only through accepting Jesus Christ through faith, can we know God as Father.
Yet, what a wondrous, miraculous privilege it is to really know God as Father! Through the redemptive work of Christ, we are adopted into His family as “heirs, joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:14-16). But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).
Knowing God as Father
Amazingly, this privileged position as God’s child, also comes with His perfect love. Jesus as He prayed to the Father declared, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (John 17:23). Imagine that, I am loved by the Father with the same intensity of love that He has for His perfect, righteous son. The thought of that is almost too wondrous to comprehend. God loves me with all my flaws, frailties, and failures. How can that be? Because as God looks down from heaven, He sees me covered by the blood of Christ—clothed in His righteousness. As we are told in Romans 3:20-26:
Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Do You Really Know God as Father?
Prayer begins with this, knowing Him intimately as our Father. The only way to know God as Father is by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. He is the only way. Then, what a wondrous relationship we have. God, through Jesus Christ, adopts us into His Family. We become His chosen, precious, beloved, redeemed Child. So, when you pray you know that you can come before Him with your heart wide open. There is no fear; because, Jesus Christ took upon Himself the penalty for all my sin. The only thing remaining is a sweet intimate walk with a Father who loves you, cares for your every need and desires only what is best for you forever. He desires to shower you with His love, His Joy and His Glory.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits
Photo is one of my son and grand-daughter. Inscription is so perfect for us. “I loved her (or him) first”–signed God.