FATHER GOD IS A GOOD GOD
Do you see Father God as judge or justifier?
Do you see Him as the taker of life or the giver of life?
Do you see Him as a source of fear or a source for your faith?
If we do not see our Heavenly Father through the eyes of Jesus then we can have a distorted view of His true character and nature.
Jesus’ disciples saw God as judge and wanted Him to destroy an entire town judging them of their sins.
LUKE 9
51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;
52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.
53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.
54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;
56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” And they went on to another village.
Jesus taught them the true nature of Father God. He did not send His Son to destroy but to save. Our Father is not mad at us but loves us. Jesus also gave us a picture of our Heavenly Father in the parable of the lost son:
Luke 15:11-32
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Jesus shows us our Heavenly Father’s true nature, His mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. Our Heavenly Father is not looking to cast us into a pit but to bring us out of the pit and seat us with Him.
We do not belong in a field of swine but belong in the Father’s presence. If we have a distorted view of our heavenly Father, we will run from Him out of guilt and fear when He wants to run to us with His love.
Spend time with your Heavenly Father in fellowship, worship and praise. You can go to Him about anything and everything. He loves you and wants to be the ultimate source for everything you need in life.