0332. IS GOD YOUR FATHER?

IS GOD YOUR FATHER?

"If God were your Father you would love Me, for I came from God" (Joh_8:42).

Much is taught in these days about the Fatherhood of God. It is a most precious truth, but according to the declaration of the Son of God only those who love Him have any evidence at all that God is their Father. God the Father was in Christ, and is revealed to us in Him. To deny the Son is to deny the Father. We are made the children of God by faith. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1Jn_5:1). The doctrine of the universal Fatherhood of God is a contradiction of the teaching of Jesus Christ. If God were your Father, says Christ, you would love Me. Love to the Son of God is the evidence that we are under the Fatherhood of God. How does this love show itself?

1. By trusting Him. We cannot say that we love Him if we have not in our hearts believed in Him as the One who came from God to lay down His life for us.

2. By receiving His words. The truth has been told us, in and by Him (Joh_8:45). Where there is love there will be a joyful reception of His words into the heart. If God is our Father we will never have a shadow of doubt concerning the sayings of His Son (Joh_8:47).

3. By delighting in His company. We cannot help drawing near to and keeping in company with those we sincerely love. Having the spirit of prayer is another proof that we are the children of God. If we love not to draw nigh to God we have no evidence that God is our Father. He is the God of all, but only the Father of them that believe (Rom_8:15-16).

4. By speaking about Him. Love will find some way of manifesting its tender regard. Those who love the Lord take pleasure in speaking to others of Him. We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

5. By suffering willingly for Him. Suffering gladly for Christ’s sake is another token that God is our Father, because it reveals our love to the Son. If ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.

6. By longing to be like Him. Every true child desires to be like his noble, godly father. It is an assurance of sonship that our souls pant and yearn to be conformed into our Heavenly Father’s likeness.

7. By desiring to please Him. "One is your Master, even Christ." "I delight to do Thy will, O God," was the language of the Son. It will also be the language of every one who loves the Son. "He that honoureth Me honoureth the Father also. I and My Father are one."

Autor: James Smith