Our Father in Heaven and on Earth
In pursuing our belief system to have a closer relationship with our Creator, we recognized the title and attributions of God as Our Father, a monolithic belief in Christianity of having one true God, in contrast to polytheism, whose belief is in more than one God. God is called Father because He is our Creator, provider, and protector.
In Judaism, God is called Father for precisely the same reasons, except that in Christianity, we believe in the Tri-unity of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Father’s name signifies He is in control with supreme force over every aspect of the world, a supreme authority, faithful and just.
God, as we call him, Father because of his active involvement in our affairs, the same way that our earthly Father would be involved in any event of our lives because of our dependency on him. From childhood to adulthood, from home to the church, we are taught about our dependency on God by communicating with Him through prayers. We expect that, as a Father, He will respond to our request. In our best interest, He may discipline us for misbehaving or disobeying His will like an earthly father who punishes his children. “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his Father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), you are illegitimate children and not true sons.” (Hebrews 12:8)
“No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:27). In Christianity, fatherhood is inherent to God’s nature, an eternal relationship. Therefore, Christians are sometimes called the children of God and sons of God, which proves our relationship with Him as our Creator and Father and us as the created beings in His image and likeness. In that respect, He is the Father of all creations.
“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, “Ephesians 3:14-16 God himself as our Father is the model of a perfect head of the family.
The Gospel of Mark records the emotional appeal of an obedient son to a beloved Father. “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this cup from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:36).
An earthly father should not abuse his authority towards their children, which might develop rebellious acts-“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by how you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction from the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4”
Unreasonable conduct towards a child will only negatively impact and nurture evil in their heart. Likewise, provoking your child with the wrong spirit and wrongful discipline will produce adverse effects. For a child to obey their parents’ desire, it should be done with love, gentleness, and patience.
Christian discipline involves knowing God first, which will inspire the child to grow with reverence to God and parental authority: “Honor your father and your mother, so that “you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). Knowledge and understanding of peaceful Christian living are love, forgiveness, and the virtue of patience. These will harvest a bountiful return of respect and care among the household.
“All Scripture is given of God, and is profitable for teaching, reproving, correcting, and instruction in righteousness; that the man or woman of God may be completely equipped for all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). This is the applicable biblical truth regarding being a father. As Christian fathers, our responsibility is to acquaint our children with the word of God. As the Father is faithful, so should we. We should show our children our faithfulness to the word of God, and when we equip them in their early childhood, they will remember that loving and knowing God is the best thing they ever learned as they get closer to the Father as they get older.
Every day is God’s Day, our Father Almighty, full of merGod’s thank you for your love in sending your Son our Lord so that we may have life eternal and to the Holy Spirit that is in us for renewing our spirit every day.