Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12 NIV) I myself said, “‘How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me." (Jeremiah 3:19 NIV) As Christians, we are given the right to become children of God. I'd like to take a moment to consider what that really means. Being given a right to do something and taking up that right are two different things. It involves a choice. For example, my flight ticket might give me the right to go into the airport lounge. Once I have gone through security, I have a choice: will I take up that right or not? I can sit in the comfort of the lounge or I can stay in the general departures area. Once we have put our trust in Jesus our sins are forgiven and our eternal inheritance is guaranteed. It's possible to have received the free gift of salvation but then continue to live as a slave or an orphan. What I am questioning is our perception of ourselves. So far as the Father is concerned we are his children, but do we know it? Do we believe it? Do we live it? Jeremiah puts it very clearly "I thought you would call me Father". It's a choice and a heart response on our part. As we come to him, and call him 'Father', we discover that he opens the windows of Heaven and fulfils the longing on his heart - 'how gladly would I treat you like my children and give you the best inheritance'. Of course, God blesses all his people but it seems there is a greater fulfilment of that when we know in our heart of hearts that we are his children. I am pleased to announce the launch of my new book, "It Changes Everything". This book explores the revelation of the Father's love and how, when we live in love, we can truly begin to walk as Jesus walked. I trust it will be a provocation to you to begin a lifelong journey of going deeper into the Father's love. As you do, you will discover that His love really does change everything. The book is available on Amazon and also available in Kindle format. I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:23 NIV) And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5 NIV) On Jesus' last evening before he was led away to the cross, he knew exactly what he was going to face over the coming hours. He knew the pain and the agony, he knew the betrayal and he knew that he would come through it after the resurrection. Humanly speaking, this was not something to look forward to. During this evening he shares a meal with his disciples and, we read through John's gospel account, that his focus was on them and their wellbeing rather than on the troubles he was facing. He wants them to know that his Father is with them and that they are loved in exactly the same way as he is loved. Irrespective of what is happening, they are loved with an eternal and everlasting love. The Father is pouring his love into their hearts, just as he pours it into Jesus' heart. Throughout this evening he reassures his friends that they are unconditionally and completely loved. It is that same love which is poured into our hearts. We, too, are loved by the Father in exactly the same way and with the same intensity of love as Jesus. I encourage you to take a few moments to receive this love. As you go through today simply ask the Father to pour his love into your heart. I am pleased to announce the launch of my new book, "It Changes Everything". This book explores the revelation of the Father's love and how, when we live in love, we can truly begin to walk as Jesus walked. I trust it will be a provocation to you to begin a lifelong journey of going deeper into the Father's love. As you do, you will discover that His love really does change everything. The book is available on Amazon and also available in Kindle format. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’ (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV) My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:29 NIV) Last week I touched on the way the Father longs to carry us. Yes, of course he will take our burdens from us but he longs to do so much more. He wants to carry us in the way a father carries his son and he promises to carry us all the way. We never get too heavy for him. At the end of Moses' life he once again reminds the people that they are being carried by their Father. We are constantly surrounded by his everlasting arms. He is a strong powerful God but he carries us tenderly and gently. Life is often tough and we realise we can't manage on our own. We feel attacked from all sides, we feel under pressure but we constantly have the assurance that he is faithful and is carrying us through the turbulence of life's ups and downs. Sometimes, to know that place of peace and rest we have to let go. Our own determination and struggle can hinder us from finding our place of safety in his arms. We can depend on him. He will carry us and we are safe with him. I am pleased to announce the launch of my new book, "It Changes Everything". This book explores the revelation of the Father's love and how, when we live in love, we can truly begin to walk as Jesus walked. I trust it will be a provocation to you to begin a lifelong journey of going deeper into the Father's love. As you do, you will discover that His love really does change everything. The book is available on Amazon and also available in Kindle format. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to receive the full rights of sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. (Ephesians 1: 4-5 NIV)
The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. (Deuteronomy 31: 30-31 NIV) It's easy to say that we are children of God. It's almost as easy as referring to children in a class at school. We see it functionally, rather than as a relationship. Here in Ephesians, Paul is bringing us back to the centrality of the gospel. Before the world was created the Father had a plan and that plan was to have a family. A family of sons and daughters who would be like his son, Jesus. A family that he would love in the same way as he loves Jesus. This has never stopped being his plan and he does everything to bring that plan into existence. He longs for relationship with us and this is far more important to him than our activity or busyness. As Christians we have been give the right to become children of God. Children to whom the Father relates intimately. It is his desire to be involved in every area and activity of our lives. Too often, when we hit a crisis, we want him to take our burdens from us and carry them. Yes, he will do that, but he longs to do much more. He wants to carry us as a father carries his son. His promise to us is that he will carry us all the way. He is totally reliable and will never let us down because he is a Father who cares deeply for his children. |
Weekly SignpostA Father to YOU is a signpost to the heart of the Perfect Father. When we became Christians we were given the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Sadly, many of us fail to take up that right and instead continue to live as slaves or orphans. But our true destiny is being sons and daughters who have a permanent place in the Father's family. This blog is an encouragement to help you know who God really is and who you really are. Click here to subscribe. |