Text- Matthew 6:9 – “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
Our text today is a very familiar portion of scripture. There is hardly anyone in the world, Christians and non-Christians alike, who is not acquainted with “The Lord’s Prayer”, and particularly the phrase, “Our Father, who art in heaven”
However, the way many believers relate with God is nothing close to a father child relationship. My goal with this series is to bring us to an understanding of God being our Father – our Father who art in heaven.
Many people have a thwarted understanding of the true meaning of “Father” because their natural father was less than perfect – and that is understandably so because no human is perfect.
However, the abuse and absence (physical or emotional) of some fathers have further damaged people’s perception who is father really is, and by extension their perception of God, their heavenly father.
Beloved, in case your Dad was less than perfect, or in case he hurt you badly, I want you to know that God – your heavenly father, is nothing like that. He is a perfect father, and your life will be a lot better and brighter if you can allow him to properly father you.
John 3:35 tells us in simple terms “The Father loves the son”… Your heavenly father loves you so much! His love is so perfect and eternal. What more? His love is freely given – you don’t even have to earn it; it’s an unconditional love!
You may have felt that how much your Dad loves you is based on the incredible things you have/have not achieved. You may even have felt like you need to do more to earn his love. This mindset is what makes you strive to “earn God’s love” by the things you do.
Romans 5:8 says, “God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”… Did you see that? While we were yet sinners! God loved you even when you could not in any way measure up to His standard; when you were totally oblivious of Him, and of His love!
See, as good as Holy living is, you do not earn God’s love by living a Holy life. Instead, living holy is rightfully a reciprocation of God’s love.
When you understand the enormity and magnificence of God’s love, you will love him in return; the reciprocation of His love is what will produce Holy Living. That’s why Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord wholeheartedly (Matthew 22:36-38)
Furthermore, since there was nothing you could do to merit your Heavenly Father's love, there is nothing that you can ever do to lose it. See what Romans 8:38-39 says:
“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
See, when it comes to your conduct and lifestyle, it’s not a question of whether God loves you of not, or whether He can/ can still love you or not. It’s a question of whether or not you love him!
Beloved, GOD IS YOUR FATHER, AND HE LOVES YOU; HE REALLY REALLY DOES!
PRAYER
My Father who art in heaven, please help me to understand the depth of your love for me, and to love you in return with all of my heart in Jesus Name
Image Credit: giovannipromesso.blogspot.com
