So let's think about what a perfect father would be like. A perfect father would be ALL loving no matter what bad things we do. He would pass down to us all of his life work probably after He died, after all aren't we heirs to whatever he has? A perfect father would be the mightiest protector, he would never want anything to harm us and if something did, he would be our biggest comforter. He would be our the person we would be able to turn to for perfect advice. He would set rules, but perfect rules. And what are rules suppose to do? Protect us, of course. If we didn't follow them, he would be disappointed and worried and he may even discipline us but he would always forgive us and would never hold it against us in the future. The consequences would still be there but he would help us get through it. A perfect Father would sacrifice anything for us because he loves us so dearly. Of course, a perfect father would want us to deeply and unconditionally love his other children, all of them. A perfect father would also teach us and enable us to do everything that is good. He would want us to reach for the star and he would be everything he could to get us there.
I think if everyone had a dad like that we'd be looking pretty good. I've never had a perfect relationship with anyone but if I could have one I'd be all about that! So now that we've established that God calls us His children and He our father and since we've established that if God was our Father it would be a perfect relationship, at least on his part, we aren't so perfect but fortunately for us it's not required if we have a perfect father, then what does that mean for us? It means that we absolutely have a perfect Father waiting for us to choose to let Him BE our Father! It means our God, our Father, is waiting until we come to scoop us up and never, ever let go, showering us with blessing after blessing and a perfect and unconditional love. In fact our Father is so in love with us that He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, to die for ALL of us even the people that would never want Him to be their Father anyway. Christ chose to die for everyone so that not even one person who sought Him wouldn't be able to find Him. Basically he said, no matter what, YOU ARE WORTH IT, you're worth everything I have! If you don't believe me, let's look at what HE says.
In terms of His love -
How great is the 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
“Now I say
that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he
is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time
appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were
in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time
had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to
redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as
sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into
your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer
a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Gal.
4:1-7
Ask, and it
will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him
who knocks it will be opened. "Or what man is there among you who, if his
son asks for bread, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, will
he give him a serpent? "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!” Matt. 7:7-11
But you are a chosen
people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you
may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light. 1 Pet 2:9
Jesus said, “As the
Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love…These things I have
spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John
15:9,11)
In terms of His protection -
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
Isa 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me ... Philippians 4:13.
The name of the Lordis a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe. Prov. 18:10
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6
In terms of His blessings on us
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal. 6:9
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 2 Cor. 2:9
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
In terms of His compassion for us -
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa. 41:10
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And please believe me when I say all of that is just the tip of the iceburg! Open up the bible and see examples for how our Father walks with us and loves us here on Earth. It's simply amazing and beautiful to that kind of relationship with our Father. How much more can He say, I love you and I want you, everything that you are, I want YOU! If you knew you could have that, how would you respond?
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