GREAT BIBLE WORDS
GOD, OUR FATHER
Colossians 1:2
Colossians 1:2, “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Introduction:
This is an interesting theme. The world has their opinion about who the sons of God might be, but their opinion does not agree with what the Scriptures teach.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and has a very unique relationship with God the Father that is different from that of the believer in Jesus Christ. Consider the following.
I. GOD IS PRESENTED AS FATHER TO ISRAEL
A. God’s care for Israel is spoken of as being a fatherly relation, Deuteronomy 8:5, “Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.”
1. God’s fatherly relationship with Israel is seen in the reason why He corrected them, Proverbs 3:12, “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
2. His concern was that of a father, Jeremiah 31:9, “They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”
B. Since God was caring for them as a father He demanded of them obedience as sons, Malachi 1:6, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”
C. However, God is presented in a more restrictive view in Scripture, that of the SPIRITUAL FATHER rather than a national father, Psalm 103:12, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” The word “pitieth” means: to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection.
1. Here the Lord refers to His “jewels” or His “special treasure,” Malachi 3:17, “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”
2. This “special treasure” is made of up of those who are God’s sons by faith in Jesus Christ, Exodus 19:5-6, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
3. This is His “peculiar” people, Deuteronomy 26:18, “And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;”
II. GOD IS FATHER TO THE GENTILES WHO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR
A. Jesus Christ had a peculiar relationship with God the Father that is different from that of the Believer, Romans 15:6, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1. Christ standing with the Father is unique, intimate and unparalleled, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”
2. Jesus Christ is the great “I AM,” John 8:58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
3. Jesus and the Father are one, John 10:30, 38, “I and my Father are one. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”
4. Jesus came from the Father, John 16:28, “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”
B. This is a different relationship than that mentioned in Romans 1:7, “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1. Our relationship with God our Father is by faith in His Son, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
2. Christ’s relationship with the Father is that of “the only begotten of the Father,” John 1:14,“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
III. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN
A. This is the philosophy of the world today.
B. The Apostle Paul refutes this in Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
C. No one is a child of God unless he believes in Jesus Christ as his Savior, John 8:42-43, “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.”
D. If God is not our Father then Satan is, John 8:44-45, Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”