THURSDAY, June 4, 2009                                                       READ: Ephesians 3: 8 - 19                                                                                                        

APPRECIATING AND REVERING GOD, THE FATHER

MEMORIZE: “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named.”         Ephesians 3: 14, 15

There is one Godhead. There are three uncreated divine persons existing in one Godhead. The three persons of the Godhead perform different functions as they execute their divine plan of redemption of Adam’s descendants from sin. These three persons of the uncreated Godhead exist in what is called a compound unity and possess one essence, one nature.

We customarily speak of God, referring to the Godhead, and also intending to refer to the first person of the Godhead, who is actually God, the Father. The first person of the Godhead assumed the role of Father when He designated the second person Son (cf. Psalm 2: 7). That is why we see Him being referred to as “… the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ” in our text, Ephesians 3: 8 – 19. The Jewish religious leaders understood that as Son of God, He was God, the Son, and was equal with God, the Father and God, the Spirit (cf. John 5: 17-24). As son, the second person of the uncreated divine Godhead, has the same authority as the Father and the Spirit. So as to perform His role in the divine redemption, the Son became subordinated in a relationship, which is called the economic subordination to and with His Father (cf. John 10: 29-38). The Son has willingly, willfully and intentionally condescended to become and be subject to the authority of His Father, so that the divine redemptive purposes could be fulfilled. While He was here on the earth, He was subject to His Father. He always did that which was consistent with the will of His Father. He fulfilled the will of the Father and has been made to be both LORD and Christ (cf. Acts 2: 36; Romans 10: 9, 10; Philippians 2: 7-11).

For any of us to enjoy the eternal salvation, which Jesus secured by His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension back to the Father, it is necessary for us to believe in Him, that He is the Son of God, sent from His Father (cf. John 6: 37 – 40; Romans 1: 4; 1 John 5: 5). We need to believe that He is the One whom the Father has sent to be our Savior (cf. Acts 4: 12). Is it possible to really honor Jesus as Son of God if we fail to acknowledge God, the Father, as Father? God has revealed Himself as Father (cf. Psalm 103: 13).

Paul said, “I bow my knees to the Father….” To bow the knees is to revere and offer honor and worship. He bowed his knees in reverence and worship of God, the Father. Believers in Jesus Christ are supposed to. There are so many of us who confess to be believers in the LORD, Jesus Christ who have hangovers, even real deep-seated problems with our own human fathers, and appear be surprised to find that it does affect the ways in which we regard, or, relate to God, the Father, as Father. It is definitely not consistent for any of us who actually believe in Jesus of Nazareth as God’s Son and confess Him as LORD, to fail to appreciate and revere His Father who sent Him and has exalted Him. Wherever that failure exists, it definitely needs to be dealt with. Jesus’ Father is to be recognized appreciated and revered as our Father (cf. Matthew 5: 48; 6: 9-18; John 1: 12)? Do you recognize, appreciate and revere God, the Father?

PRAY: LORD, God Almighty, I praise You and bless You as my Father. You are the God and Father of our LORD, Jesus Christ. I accept Jesus as Your Son, my Savior and LORD. I acknowledge that You are the God and Father of our LORD, Jesus Christ. I am asking You to give me a firm appreciation for You as my Heavenly Father. Help me to see my human father as You see him. I am asking this in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.