The Fatherhood Of God
Randall Caselman
12/31/97
The Fatherhood Of God
The Jews of old seldom saw God as their Father. When they did it was only in vague symbolism. They saw God as one who was distant and awesome. They certainly never understood Him to be a God that was up-close and personal.
Jesus saw God in terms of being His Father. He referred to Him as ABBA Father. Colin Brown, in his Dictionary of New Testament Theology says that ABBA is baby-language. One of the first words a Jewish baby learned was ABBA.. Daddy. ABBA is a homey word, a family word, an everyday word. It is a word of intimacy... A word of closeness... A word of faith and trust.
Scripture teaches that we too, should see God as our ABBA Father. Paul writes, For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father.
When I was growing up and had a need, I would just go to my parents and say, help me. I still do this. I know they will help... Because I am their son... They love me. It never crosses my mind that they wouldn't do what is best for me. God says, I’m your Heavenly Father... Don’t worry... Trust Me. Ask and you will receive... Seek and you will find... Knock and it will be opened to you.
Okay, as an ABBA Father, what is God really like? What does the Fatherhood of God mean to us?
It means He is loving. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life. Do we understand that John three-sixteen is alive today? Paul tells us in Titus chapter two that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. In Romans he declares, God demonstrates His love for us in this, at just the right time, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Never! Never! Doubt God's love.
God is ready to forgive us. I love my daddy. My regret is that I haven’t always been the son he wanted me to be. But my joy is that I know he loves and forgives me anyway. If your earthly father knows how to give good gifts, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask.
Listen to these scriptures confirming our forgiveness and acceptance as sons of God: In Him we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins... When we were dead in our sins God made us alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins... If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.... If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus' narrative of the Good Samaritan focuses on the forgiveness of the Father. God is the Father, we are the prodigal. Come home, enjoy His total forgiveness.
God is patient with us. As fathers, we have not always been patient with our children, have we? But God is patient. His patience is spoken of in several scriptures: Peter says, God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. Paul tells us it was God’s patience that saved him, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Again Peter writes, The Lord is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. If we are not the sons God wants us to be, He is atiently waiting.
As a father God promises to answer our prayers.
• asking implies we have faith enough to expect an answer. Genuine, heartfelt prayers are an indication of our faith in God’s Fatherhood. James says, you have not because you ask not... Or you ask doubting... Lacking faith.
• seeking implies we do something. Seeking is asking plus effort. Luke chapter fifteen is about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. The shepherd found his sheep after he went seeking. The lady found her coin after much searching. The father sighted his son after much longing and looking. Are we doing anything to help effect our prayers? Seeking includes action on our part.
• knocking implies persistence. In Luke’s record of Jesus teaching His disciples to pray, ask, seek and knock, He tells the parable about the friend who came knocking and asking for food at midnight. The man said, no I am in bed with my family.... Go away. But Jesus said, because of his persistence, the man gave him what he needed. W must be persistent in our prayers. Jesus teaches that as a father, God rewards persistence.
John R.W. Stott tells us that all three of these verbs are present imperatives. That means Jesus is saying... Keep on asking... Keep on seeking.... Keep on knocking.
Are you a child of God? If not, you need to become one. If you are, celebrate His fatherhood.
Randall Caselman
