God, Our Father . . .

God, Our Father . . .

It is noteworthy that Paul, at the beginning of each of his letters, greeted the churches with about the same words: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It’s strange how easily we read this without it sinking in, or without thinking any further about it. This one sentence alone can revolutionize our entire way of thinking. The greeting is fully in line with the greeting that Mary Magdalene was told to bring from Jesus, who had just risen from the dead: “But go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” John 20:17. These were some revolutionary words spoken to these brothers, as John expressed it: “Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:13. Peter said that this rebirth happens through God’s word, which lives and abides forever. 1 Pet. 1:23. God’s word is the seed that contains the power to bring forth the entire content of Jesus’ life, all His wisdom and all His virtues. James said the same thing: brought forth (born) by the word of truth to be a firstfruits of God’s creation. Jas. 1:18.

We have been “adopted” by the Majesty on high, brought up from the miry clay, from the slavery of sin and Satan’s torment, forgiven and purified, raised up and seated with Him in heaven in Jesus Christ. Eph. 2:8—all by grace through faith. We have been adopted, and the Spirit of adoption and its longing lead us to a better knowledge of the will of the Father and to a deeper fellowship with Him.

Receiving the right to become a child of God, having the Almighty, the God of love, as our Father, comes with tremendous rights and privileges, the value of which our eyes are only opened little by little to understand. It means citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. It means being an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. Rom. 8:17. By believing this, we are children of promise, descended from the seed of Abraham—Christ. Gal. 3:16. We are the children of Zion, children of the Jerusalem that is above. This Jerusalem is free. It gives birth to children in freedom, and is our mother.

With such a Father and such a mother, we can look forward to a bright future, even here in this world.

Having such rights and such a hope also carries with it clear conditions. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” This is how Paul exhorts us in 2 Cor. 6:14. He then asks five questions that we should answer. To mention two of them: “And what communion has light with darkness? . . . Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” V. 14,15. As children of Him who is love, we can and should be good, kind, and thankful for all people and, indeed, love them sincerely. But fellowship only results where there is a common interest and a common goal. We eat and nourish ourselves at the table that our mother, the Jerusalem above, prepares for us. The unbelievers eat from a table prepared by the god of this world, where they esteem the greatness, approval, and honor of the world. A mind that seeks the things that are above and a mind that seeks the things that are on earth cannot be united. “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” V. 17,18.

Paul also says: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Rom. 8:14. It is only in the Holy Spirit that we can receive and maintain the hatred that is needed to keep the flesh on the cross—bring it to death—so that our temptations lose their power and are conquered. This is what it means to walk in the Spirit. The Spirit glorifies Christ and the riches of the inheritance of the saints in light. There is a fundamental difference between the children of God and the children of the devil, as the apostle John clearly describes. 1 John 3:10. “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin . . .” 1 John 5:18.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1. Unfathomable love! May we see it better, and greater. Only those who are led by the Spirit against the flesh receive revelation about this grace, which is incomprehensible to human reason and unmerited! It gives strength and motivation to purify ourselves more deeply from all our sinful nature unto greater purity, purity just as He is pure. V. 3.

These children of God are a gift from Jesus’ Father to His Son. They are Jesus’ brothers and His sheep, who hear the shepherd’s voice. No one can snatch them out of My hand, Jesus said, “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:28-30. Jesus gives them eternal life, and they shall never perish for all eternity. V. 28.

We must stop and think more carefully about this calling!

Have you thought about what kind of Father you have? When we enter the furnace of affliction and our faith is tested, when our reasoning comes to a complete standstill, let your thoughts turn to your Father, the Almighty, All-wise, All-good God, who watches over us every second to ensure that our trials are not beyond what we are able. Let His word pierce and judge the thoughts and intents of the heart, dividing soul and spirit. Heb. 4:12. When chastening comes, do not be discouraged. It is grace from God and evidence that you are a true son. Be subject to the Father of Spirits and purify yourself from all worries and destructive thoughts. Heb. 12:11. Bind the sacrifice to the altar and blame no one, but judge yourself and seek fellowship with Him who gave His life for you and atoned for all your sins, and who saved you from eternal perdition. You will be sanctified and, as a son of the Almighty, you shall be formed to become like your Father in all His glorious virtues and His radiant being. The blessed fruit of righteousness gives life meaning and spiritual energy to endure all things, bear all things, hope all things . . . just like your heavenly Father.

And when it concerns all our earthly matters and the things that we need in this world, we can rest in His safe, strong hands. Our heavenly Father knows what we need long before the need has even crossed our minds. Just imagine—the kingdom of heaven belongs to these children of God, who are so poor in themselves but so rich in God. So let us be thankful!

May this greeting, “Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord” make an eternal and lasting impression on us and bring hope and joy!