Second Lesson: Know Your Father
By the way, who is this God that we call Father?
If we look at the Old Testament concept of God, He is portrayed as a God of the skies, a God of wrath.
While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was discovered gathering wood on the Sabbath day. . . Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘This man shall be put to death; let the whole community stone him outside the camp.’ So the whole community led him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord had commanded Moses. (Numbers 15:32-36)
Or He is a God of vengeance as portrayed in the prayer of King David asking vengeance upon his enemies: “
May his children be fatherless, his wife, a widow. May his children be vagrant beggars, driven from their hovels. May the usurer snare all he owns, strangers plunder all he earns. May no one treat him kindly or pity his fatherless children ...” (Psalms 109:9-12, 20)
If you believe that your Father God is as cruel as the God of Moses, you will live a life that is full of fear. If you believe that your Father God is as vengeful as the God of David, you will live a life that is full of hate. Is this the kind of life that you are living now?
If you believe that your Father God is capricious and unjust, you will be a child that is selfish and unkind.
Fortunately, the God of Moses and David is not the God of Jesus. Unlike the God of David, the God of Jesus is a loving Father who tells us, through Jesus, to love our enemies.
“... love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you ...” (Matthew 5:44)
Unlike the God of Moses who gave up man for the Sabbath, the God of Jesus, through Jesus, said: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
Jesus had discovered that Father God is a loving Father. Realizing that He was a beloved child of God, He established His unity with the Father. In His ministry, unity with the Father had been the central theme of His teachings. Once you realize that you are also a beloved child of God, you will also establish your unity with the Father. Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.” (John 14:12)
In other words, Jesus was saying, “If you believe in me and learn what I am teaching you, you will be able to do all the works that I have done. Once you discover your unity with our Father, like I did, you may even do more.”
This is the greatest discovery of all times. Once you accept this great discovery, you will be able to build your personal relationship with the Father on a solid foundation.
“And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.” (Matthew 7:26)
You must recognize the truth of your spiritual unity with God. You must accept that you are God’s beloved child and are heir to His abundant kingdom. When you do, wisdom, wealth, health, happiness, and abundant life will come to you as naturally as the air you breathe. Abundant life is a natural outcome of this great discovery. You are spiritually united with God, the Father, and co-heir with Jesus to God’s abundant kingdom.
This is the true message of the teachings of Jesus. Are you listening?
Knowledge, however, will not do you any good until you put your knowledge into action; and, action means doing.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, said: “...
be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
Next Posting: Third Lesson: Know That You Are Heir To God's Abundant Kingdom
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