(The first in a series of teaching on the Lord’s Prayer, by Pastor Onesmus)
The most endearing and precious impression of God is not that He has unlimited power, nor that He is judge of all, but that He is our Father.
If He is our Father, then we are kin to Him and He cares for us. Human beings not the animals are made in God’s image (James 3:9)
Because of His interest in us, God said to Christ, “Let Us make man in Our image after Our likeness.” (Gen. 1:26)
This appealing thought cannot be enjoyed by evolutionists who think that man is made in the image of some lower animal. But the Bible believers exalt in that man is made “but a little lower than God” (Psalm 8:5, ASV), and that he is a son of the “Father of spirits”. (Heb. 12:9)
By creation, all men are sons of God and there is one Father of all mankind. (Genesis 6:2, Luke 3:38, Acts 17:26) Exhilarating then is the thought that our ancestry is not from below but from heaven. Nevertheless, if a man only exalts in his being a son of God by creation, and if he never becomes a son of God by the gospel, he is worse off than the lower animals.
Animals die and are none existing. But there is something in man that cannot die that is danger of eternal fire.
To be right, a man must be a son of God in two senses, i.e., creation and new creation. He is born as a baby to earthly parents. But he must be born again! (John 3:3) He must become a new creature! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jesus knows the feeling that wells up in your heart when you think of your Father, and He wanted His disciples to think of God in that fashion.
An earthly father would sacrifice to put bread in his child’s mouth. How much more then shall your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Mat. 7:11)
He, being unlimited, knows more about me than I do. Having counted every hair on my head! (Luke 12:7)
He, who never forgets even a sparrow, assures His children, “fear not, ye are of more value than the sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)
He watches eagerly over me, and at the same time is just as concerned for an Indian man on the other side of the world.
He knows the names of over six billion people now living, and more billions in the spirit world.
He hears when souls under the alter cry to their Redeemer. (Rev. 6:10)
And if every one of more than six billion images of God, who are still in the flesh, were to cry to Him at once, it wouldn’t tax Him to listen to everyone. Nay, He would hear every one with such patience and heart-interest as if that one were the only person in existence.
It pleases both the heavenly Father and the earthly father if a child stops to say thank you. The Father’s great heart is grieved if I leave my room in the morning with out talking to Him, and He is hurt if I brazenly, thoughtlessly try to call out the day’s activities without taking confidence and imploring His providential care. If you, like Jesus, (Mark: 1:35) feel you can’t live through a day and do what you ought without a private talk with your helping Father, He is pleased.
If you depart into a desert places or walk in a garden, “While the dew is still on the roses,” in order to talk to your God in secrecy, you will receive the strength for the day and Satan will not have as easy a mark that day
As your day “So shall thy strength be”. (Deut 33:25)
If you, like Daniel, take time in the middle of the day to sit in heavenly places with a divine companion, you will be more patient and kinder as the day’s toil proceeds.
If at the end of the day, you fail not to express thanks for your bread and bed, for your family and friends, for mercies and protection, for forgiveness and cleansing, then will the joy of your salvation be restored to you. You will live at peace with yourself and your Maker, and your sleep will be deeper and peaceful.
You have a Father. He is YOUR Father!
REPEMU INTERNATONAL 