"GOD, OUR FATHER ~ WE, HIS CHILDREN"

Perhaps the greatest but least appreciated privilege given to Christians is the opportunity to address God as "Father." Jesus Himself taught His disciples to address God with an intimacy and familiarity that was startling to the people of that day. In one sense, God is our Father simply because He created us. But the basis for calling God "our Father" is that we are His children by faith in Christ.

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." 1Corinthians 8:6

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1Peter 2:9,10

We were prodigal sons and daughters who had squandered our inheritance, yet God called us back to Himself. He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as ransom to buy us back from our slavery to sin. He has restored us to His family in Holy Baptism, and He clothes us with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Himself.

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." Acts 17:28

God continues to shower us with His gifts, and promises that for Jesus' sake we will inherit everlasting life in the Father's heavenly mansions.

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6

Through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Father made it possible for us to have our sins forgiven, to become the blood-bought sons and daughters of God. We remain God's children by clinging to childlike faith to Jesus as our only Savior.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." Ephesians 1:4,5

Thousands of children are adopted each year. Without the experience we cannot fully understand the joy and happiness that come to those who adopt a child. All Christians are adopted! When we become Christians, God adopts us into His family through the means of grace ~ Word and Bpatism. He makes us members of the holy Christian church. Only by God's undeserved love are we the children of God. None of us deserved to be in His family. By nature we were spiritual outcasts. Nothing in us made us worthy of His love. The sins charged against us made it impossible for us to be received as God's children if it depended on us. There was no earthly reason why God should adopt us. But there was a heavenly reason ~ His love!

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12,13

This outstanding scripture passage promises that we can be and are children of God. When we consider this statement from our side, it is easy enough to comprehend. We all have or have had parents. We understand that relationship, and we have had the opportunity to share ourselves and our experiences with our dear relatives. They have been there for us to listen, to give advice, and even at times, to chatise and correct us when it was for our own good. But we certainly need to hang on to our hats when we begin to think about a Father-and-son or a Father-and-daughter relationship with God!

"Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?" Malachi 2:10

Isn't God the Creator of all things? Doesn't He sustain and maintain everything in our universe with His Almighty power? We are His creature, His child, His son, His daughter! How awesome to know how Jesus brought about the Father-child relationship when He reconciled us to God by taking all our sins upon Himself as we were baptized into His name!

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." Colossians 1:16

Application: In the context of our redemption and of our adoption by God, we should
call on our Father with confidence and boldness, sure in our relationship and certain of His blessings.

Today's Devotion: "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26

Heavenly Father, we give thanks that through Your Son we can call You "Father." We ask that You continue to show us Your favor and mercy. Inspire us, dear Lord, to seek the good and great things You are able to accomplish through us. Father, let us ever be Your faithful children; through Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.

God Bless You All, as you honor our "Father" in all that you do.