Our Heavenly Father

"Your heavenly Father." -

Mat_6:26

This idea that Spurgeon promotes, while slightly true, has harmed the church unawares. he says, "

God’s people are doubly his children, they are his offspring by creation, and they are his sons by adoption in Christ."

Perhaps there was no harm in his day, but today, there are many who will rest on the first portion (they are his offspring by creation) and ignore the latter. This first portion is slightly inaccurate. People are not all called the children of God. People are all called the creation of God - even the jewel of creation. We are the finishing touch of God's creation, the precious diamond that is placed in that glorious crown. But we are not all his children. Only believers are His children - because of the adoption that Christ has made possible. It was not to everyone that the instruction is given to pray, "Our Father, which art in heaven." It was to the disciples of Jesus Christ.

I have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, saved by the grace of Christ, and forgiven by the mercy of Christ. I have been bought with a price, and for that I am thankful. Yet, I confess, I am resentful toward those who would think themselves a member of the family all while dishonoring the family name and the head Himself, through worldly deeds, faithless acts of selfishness and disobedience. Now, I don't declare myself to be righteous in all I do, and for that I humbly bow my head in shame, but I have given my life to the Lord, and to those who take an honest look, it should show. I have been changed by Him, and that should show. I serve Him, and that should show. I am more and more like him and less and less like the world, and that should show as I grow to be more like my Heavenly Father.

While I may resent those who arrogantly, or incorrectly consider themselves to be a member of the family without faith in Christ Jesus, just because God created them, I pray for the love and the wisdom to reveal the real truth - you must be born again, and that through faith in Christ Jesus, evidenced by a lasting repentance and growing devotion to Him bespeckled by love, adoration, and thanksgiving always toward Him. Nothing less will do.

May we all put our faith in Christ and enjoy our new birth. Honor the father through obedience and worship. Offer Him your affection, and obey with willingness and delight, not duty and drudgery. The will of the Father should be the will of the child. God's wrath has become God's love, and our fear has become our faith. He is more than a friend, and more than a benefactor - He is a Father. He will hold you, listen to you, and care for you perfectly, wisely, and tenderly. He puts away his rod of iron for a heart of mercy. He Commands with love, and blesses His children. He defends them, and He entreats them - but He is only Father to those who have believed Him!