You can call him Father
Sometimes my daughters felt their calls of “Mom” weren’t heard because whether at my dance studio, church or camp there were always children trying to get my attention. “Miss Ann, Miss Ann.” On occasion, my daughters would say “Miss Ann” or Ann Van Hine instead of Mom to get a reaction. I remember reminding my girls that there were many children who called me Miss Ann but only two children in the whole world that called me Mom.
I thought about that today when Pastor David Ashcraft of LCBC stated “Yes, there is someone out there and you can call him, Father.” Wow! We can call the creator of the universe Father. He went on to explain that God loves all people but only those who follow Jesus can call God Father. I have always believed that God loves all people. Some people don’t love God but He still loves them. I also know that there is nothing anyone can do to make God love them less or even more. His love is unconditional and is enough. However, I had never really thought about that distinction of believers in Jesus knowing God as Father. I mean I knew that but never spent anytime pondering it. Not sure if that makes sense.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3: 26-29 NIV
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 NIV
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he taught them to say Our Father.
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:9-14 NIV
Jesus also said:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 NIV
“Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.”Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” John 14:1- 7 Message
I delighted that so many children called me Miss Ann but there was nothing better than hearing my girls say Mom. I don’t think it is a stretch to say that God might feel the same way when His creation calls him Father.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13
The Holy Spirit has been leading us both in the same direction. As you’ll see Wednesday. What a precious Father! He’s so good.
Luwana, I love when that happens. God connecting us without us even knowing. Looking forward to your post on Wednesday.
I agree with you Ann; the Lord likes us to call Him Father, and I am thankful for that.