Introduction to Six “Father's Heart” PostsWHY THE FATHER’S HEART ??
Many people have trouble knowing God in a close or personal way.
Christianity is relational – it is NOT propositional. By this I mean that Christians are brought into a relationship with God when we are saved.
Christianity Is Not Propositional:
Many religions are a set of beliefs or propositions which a person can listen to and understand and then agree to. For example:
* Offering of food or incense or something at certain times in a certain way
* Pray in a certain way or at certain time
* Wear certain clothes
* Behave in certain ways
* Refrain from certain behaviours (eg. dancing, playing cards, drinking alcohol).
There is widespread belief that Christianity is like this too.
Christians surely do believe that certain things are true. We believe that Jesus died and rose again so that we can be saved from our sins and enter into eternal life.
But we do not have to follow religious procedures or practices. Jesus said: “follow me”.
Christianity Is Relational:
Our faith is based in our relationship to God, Father, Son and Spirit.
We become children of God, part of His family. We come into all the benefits of being God’s sons and daughters. Therefore, the relationship is intimate. Very personal and close. Intimate. Jesus called our Father "Abba"; this is an old Jewish name which shows great love and trust the child has for his or her Daddy.
All the benefits won by Jesus on the Cross of Calvary are ours.
Father God Becomes Our Father:
A miracle occurs!
(Galatians 3:26; 4:5; 4:6) You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and receive the full rights of sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father”.
(Romans 8:16) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
(Romans 8:21) the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
Jesus Becomes Our Betrothed (our Beloved)
Jesus plans to marry me, and to marry you:
(Revelation 21:2) I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.
I cannot explain how both women and men can marry Jesus, but I can accept this as true. Jesus is Lord of the whole of Creation:
(Colossians 1:16-17) For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
WHY AM I TEACHING THIS ??
For a very long time I had trouble seeing Father God as being my heavenly Father. These teaching are my testimony of how His love reached me and overcame the problems of my relationship with my own earthly father. I learned to say “Abba”, and to rejoice in Jesus’ plans for me, in this life, and in eternity!
This song from Scripture is about me (and you) and Jesus:
(Song of Solomon 2:3-6) As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner over me is love. Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples; For I am faint with love. His left hand is under my head. His right hand embraces me.
FAITH
It is faith which brought me here . . the faith OF Jesus (Mark 11:22) . . His faith in Father God and His faith in me.
Amen.
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Be blessed in Jesus.
