How do you view God as a Father? Do you place characteristics on him that are similar to your earthly father, or do you use Scripture as the basis for what you know him to be? We see throughout Scripture that God's not a controlling or condemning father. In fact, we read in Romans chapter eight that we are set free from this mindset of fear and slavery, and instead we're called children of God.
So, if you think of God as a father that's overly controlling, overbearing, and condemning, chances are that it will lead to one of two outcomes in your life. It will lead to rebellion because you believe that nothing you do is good enough, so you figure it’s not worth it to even try to do the right thing. Or this mindset will lead to exhaustion, where you spend your life constantly trying to earn God's affection and trying to be good enough for his approval. But the Bible makes it clear in Psalm 145 that God is a good Father. Verses 8 and 9 state that, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” God's compassion and love are intertwined in everything he does for his children. That's the kind of father we have in Heaven.
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What adjectives first come to your mind when you think of God as your Father? Do you find yourself either rebelling or at the point of exhaustion because you have an incorrect view of God?
Comments