The Perfect Father

The word “Father” or “Dad” or “Papa” means different things to different people. Some relate it to love, sacrifice and security. For few others, it reminds of physical abuse, anger, adamancy, quarrels and hatred. There are also a few to whom it does not mean anything. The meaning of father differs for different people depending on the kind of relationship they share with their father. Some love their dads very much, but for some they never got to know their fathers. It is definitely a miss! However, the greatest miss is not knowing your heavenly father who loves you unconditionally and is able to take care of you way better than your human father. Not getting to know Him as a father would be a greater loss than not knowing your earthly father!!! Let us get to know our heavenly father!

OPENING THE TREASURE BOOK

Only if we become God’s children, we can call Him our father. How do we become a child of God?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

John 1:12

When sin entered the world, the whole of humanity became slaves to the kingdom of darkness. Being a slave is a difficult thing. There is no freedom or rights for a slave, but is always at the mercy of his master. Jesus is the only way of getting out of this slavery. When you believe Jesus is the son of God who died for your sins and accept Him as your savior, you are bought by the Kingdom of light. When this happens, our status automatically changes from a slave to a child. A child has rights, freedom, authority and inherits His father’s possessions. Who would want to live as a slave when there is an option to live as a child of the most high God. There is no other privilege in the world than “The child of most high God“.

Jesus is the only way to get to the Father and believing in Jesus is the only way to be a child of God.

A good father loves his children and takes care of them. He takes the responsibility of providing for his children, protecting them and equipping them to stand on their own feet. A good father also corrects his children. Our heavenly father does all this and even more.

Love

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:9-10

The bible says God is love. He Himself is love and the greatest source of love. God does not exist without love. His love for us is unconditional. He loved us even when we were in the kingdom of darkness sinning. He sent His only son to be sacrificed for our sake because He loves us unconditionally.

Care

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

When we have God as our father, we need not worry about anything because He cares for us. Even our teeniest worry should be cast on Him because He genuinely cares.

Provisions

Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Matthew 6:8

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:11

God knows all our basic necessities of life and He provides for it. Even before a need arises in our life, our God knows about it and has already provided for it. We only need to trust Him and reach out to take it.

Protection

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Psalms 91: 11-12

God has kept angels as our body guards for our protection. Normally, only VIPs gets bodyguards. We have seen high officials and wealthy people coming with body guards. But when we become a child of God, we also become VIPs – Children of the most high God. Oh what a privilege!!!

Correction

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:11-12

Every father who loves their children corrects them. God too corrects us because He loves us and delights in us.

Equips to stand on our feet

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 9:23

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Every parent would want their children to be successfully standing on their feet facing the world boldly. God gave us Christ who strengthens us to face everything that comes our way. God has already equipped us. We only need to believe and move forward facing boldly everything that comes before us.

Our God is a good father who loves and takes care of His children. He provides and protects like no other. He corrects us and equips us to stand on our feet and face the world. He is able to take care of us far better than our earthly fathers.

Most children are afraid to go back and confess to parents when they mess up because they do not know how the parents will react. Some hide their wrongdoings and move on while some are caught and some others boldly approach their parents, confess and gets punished. When we make mistakes and realize it, we all would want an ideal father who would tell us, “Do not worry my child. I have got your back”.

How does our heavenly father respond to mistakes. Let us look into a story taught by Jesus (Luke15).

There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So the father divided his property between them. The younger son took all he had and set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he was in need. So he looked for a job and ended up feeding pigs. He longed to eat the food of pigs, but no one gave him anything. He came to his senses, and thought about the surplus food his father’s servants had. So he thought of going back to his father to be a servant as at his house as he is no longer worthy to be called his son. When he almost reached his father’s house, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate. Here the father celebrated His son’s return even though the son did not deserve it. Jesus said this story to teach that our Father God is like this father.

Living in sin is the mistake that we do before God. However, if we realize our mistake, repent and return to our father, He celebrates our return and take us back as His child. There is rejoicing in heaven over sinners who repents. So if you have been living in sin, repent and get back to your father. He will gladly take you back as His son and celebrate your return.

God is our Perfect Father. If you have been living in sin, do not be reluctant to approach your father. He longs for you to repent and get back to Him. He will celebrate your return and will take you back as His child.

Treasures uncovered

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for being a good and perfect father to us. Thank you for sending Jesus your son for our sake. Thank you for adopting us into your kingdom as your children. We love you Father and we bless your holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.

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