The Fatherhood of God

1John 3:1 - How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (NIV)

Have you ever wondered what is being said when we call God "our Father"? What does it mean to be a father? Our best examples of fatherhood come from the far from perfect men of this world who are allowed by God to rear children.

We know that it is entirely possible to have offspring and raise them up to adulthood without love, without commitment, and even without knowledge of the father's existence. But Father God isn't like that is He? He doesn't just become involved with us when it is convenient for Him, and ignore or mistreat us the rest of the time, does He?

In order to understand the true meaning of "God is our Father," we must discover what a father really is in God's eyes, because our earthly definition of a father cannot come close to showing the true aspects of "The Father".

So let us begin at the beginning…

This, we know. Before the creation of the world or any angelic beings, God existed. And God chose to create everything that has been created, including rebellious and sinful Man.

Why?

Perhaps the answer is that God is an emotional God:

• God exhibits grief -- (Genesis 6:6)


• God exhibits anger -- (Numbers 22:22)


• God exhibits jealousy -- (Joshua 24:19)


• God exhibits joy -- (Zephaniah 3:17)


• God exhibits love -- (John 3:16)

And among God's emotions, there is something deep within His personality that required Him to create Man even though He knew we would fail. The desire to be a father.

What do you think? Does God desire to be a father?

• A desire is a longing - "…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings…" (Matthew 23:37 NIV)


• A desire motivates an attempt to obtain what is desired - God "…was seeking godly offspring…" (Malachi 2:15 NIV).


• A desire results in actions that encourage fulfillment of the desire - "How gladly would I treat you like sons…I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me." (Jeremiah 3:19 NIV)

Of course, having a desire and having it fulfilled are two different things. So the question arises, was God's desire to become a father ever fulfilled?

One piece of evidence showing that it has been, is that the Old Testament refers to God as a father several times:

• "…'My Father, my friend from my youth," (Jeremiah 3:4 NIV).


• "A father to the fatherless…is God in His holy dwelling," (Psalms 68:5 NIV).


• "But You are our Father…You, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Your name." (Isaiah 63:16 NIV)


• "Yet, O LORD, you are our Father…" (Isaiah 64:8 NIV).

The New Testament also refers to God as a father in every book except 3rd John, and even there we are all "brothers" in His family.

But being called a father does not necessarily mean being a father. In modern times it is possible for a man to become the genetic father of a child through artificial insemination without any physical contact with the mother or the child. And with divorce and remarriage common place now days, children often have fathers who had nothing to do with their existence, and very little to do with their upbringing.

True fatherhood is far more complex than the reproduction or adoption of children. It carries many responsibilities in God's eyes.

Does God see Himself as a Father?

God's first attempt at fathering was Adam (Luke 3:38).

Through His covenant with Abraham, God became the father of Israel…

• "…Israel is My firstborn son," (Exodus 4:22 NIV).


• "You are the children of the LORD your God…" (Deuteronomy 14:1 NIV).


• God says, "…I reared children and brought them up…" (Isaiah 1:2 NIV).


• God says, "…I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is My firstborn son," (Jeremiah 31:9 NIV).


• God's "…children will come trembling from the west," (Hosea 11:10 NIV).


• "Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us…?" (Malachi 2:10 NIV).

For our redemption, God became the Father of Jesus Christ…

• "…Jesus Christ, the Son of God," (Mark 1:1 NIV).


• "…Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…" (John 20:31 NIV).


• "…Jesus…" is "…the Son of God…" (Hebrews 4:14 NIV).

As a result of salvation, God became the Father of all Believers.

• "…we are God's offspring…" (Acts 17:29 NIV).


• "…we are God's children," (Romans 8:16 NIV).


• "…you are sons…" of God (Galatians 4:6 NIV).


• God "…predestined us to be adopted as His sons…" (Ephesians 1:5 NIV).


• "…we are children of God…" (1John 3:2 NIV).


• "We know that we are children of God…" (1John 5:19 NIV).

Attributes of a father…

By His own Word, God is a father. This means that no matter what Biblical attributes a father is supposed to have, God fulfills those attributes. With that in mind, lets take a look at some of a father's attributes from the Bible:

Produce Offspring

One of the most obvious characteristics of a father is to produce children. In fact, God considered this so important that it was the very first command given to mankind (Genesis 1:28). God also tells us that a man who has many children is blessed (Psalms 127:5). For such an important attribute, it is no wonder that all creation waits for God to reveal who His children are (Romans 8:19).

Own Children

The title of "father" implies ownership. Children belong to their parents like a valued possession. What loving father would not give up everything he has to keep his children from being taken away from him? Children are a reward from God, given to the parents (Psalms 127:3), and throughout the Bible, God recognizes the parents ownership by referring to them as "your children" (Exodus 10:2 & Matthew 7:11). Can it be a surprise then, that God's children also belong to Him?

1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. (NIV)

Provide for Children

Since children are not born with the ability to provide for there own needs, the father is the provider for his children (2 Corinthians 12:14). In fact, a father who does not provide for his family is said to be worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8). As children of God, God is our provider; that's where we get His name Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14). God provides the material needs of His children (Matthew 6:30-33).

Master Children

The father is the head of the family. It is his responsibility to make decisions concerning his children, and make sure they are carried out. In the Bible, God accredits this attribute to earthly fathers, and in the same statement declares that He should also be master over His people (Malachi 1:6). In the Christian walk, God is our master.

Teach Children

If a child is never taught the difference between right and wrong, how can he be expected to do it? A father is responsible for teaching his children how to live right before God (Proverbs 22:6). Father God also is our teacher.

Micah 4:2 - Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (NIV)

Discipline Children

Much Godly training is in the form of restraining a child from doing wrong. God tells fathers that this is an act of love (Proverbs 13:24), and that it is saving the child's soul from death (Proverbs 23:14). It is important to realize however, that though discipline is an act of love, discipline of itself is not love. Discipline must be accompanied by training and encouragement to do what is right (Ephesians 6:4 & Colossians 3:21). Since God doesn't want anyone to parish (2 Peter 3:9) He naturally disciplines His children.

Hebrews 12:5-6 - And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son." (NIV)

Carry Children

The idea of carrying a child covers much more than picking a child up from one place, and setting him down in another. God attributes carrying as the way He took care of Israel in the wilderness after the Exodus (Deuteronomy 1:31). An examination of Israel's travels shows that God not only brought Israel through the wilderness, but he also provided food, water, clothing, protection, discipline, and leadership for them on there journey. A great many of the aspects of fatherhood are found in the idea of carrying a child.

Deuteronomy 1:31 - "And in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." (NIV)

Forgive Children

The Bible says that forgiveness is to be given to all men (Mark 11:25 & Ephesians 4:32). Any attribute credited to all men must certainly apply between fathers and there children. If a child does something wrong, the father is expected to forgive him. So also, God forgives His children (Ephesians 4:32).

Be Merciful to Children

Mercy is another attribute expected of all men (Luke 6:36). Mercy is given in place of the penalty of a wrong. If a man steals from you and then confesses his wrong and returns the item, you are showing mercy by not prosecuting him. God is a merciful Father (Luke 6:36 & Ephesians 2:4).

Cover Mistakes made by Children

In the Old Testament, when a young woman still living under her father's authority made a bad vow that she shouldn't have made, it was the responsibility of her father to cancel the vow, thus covering for the mistake (Numbers 30:3-5). An example of today might be an automobile accident that was the child's fault, that is covered by the fathers insurance policy. God is the father who covers our mistakes (Romans 4:7).

Prove that Children are Pure

In the Old Testament, when a newly married woman's virginity was questioned by her husband, it was the responsibility of the father to prove that she was pure (Deuteronomy 22:13-18). When a child is accused of a wrong that they did not do, the father is supposed to step in for them, and testify on there behalf. God the Father is our vindication, when we are accused of wrong.

Romans 8:33-34 - Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-- more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (NIV)

Raise Children to Maturity (Fatherhood)

It is said several times in the Bible that a man will leave his parents to be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh(Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, Ephesians 5:31). The first commission by God to mankind was to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). This is the ultimate goal of fatherhood, to raise children to the point where they become fathers and mothers themselves. Our commission as Christians is the very same as that given to Adam. We are to spread the gospel throughout the whole earth (Mark 16:15), thus producing more children of God. We have example of this by the apostle Paul himself.

1 Corinthians 4:15 - Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. (NIV)

Of course the idea of Christians becoming fathers must not give credit to the wrong place. We have only one true Father, and that is God (Matthew 23:9).

Character of a father…

The above twelve attributes of fatherhood, mainly describe what a father does, or should do. But there are also attributes that describe the actual character of a father. Let us also examine these in respect to Father God:

Love Children

One Biblical example of a natural father's love for his child is Abraham, because the Bible says that Abraham "loved" Isaac (Genesis 22:2). Love is no small matter. Jesus tells us that love can become so great that we are even willing to give our lives for someone we love (John 15:13), and that's what God did for us (John 3:16).

Treat Children with Compassion

Compassion is an action of love, that a father shows a hurting child (Psalms 103:13). When a child falls and hurts himself, the compassionate father runs to the child's aid, picks him up, and holds him until he stops crying. Compassion extends to more than just a physical injury. When a Christian hurts, it may be caused by injustice in the world, or it may even be caused by guilt from sin. It doesn't matter why we hurt, God cares just because we hurt. When David sinned by committing adultery, he needed, and received compassion from God (Psalms 51:1).

Psalms 103:13 - As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; (NIV)

Comfort Children

When a child experiences pain or distress, it is only natural for a father to comfort his child (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Comfort does not always mean removing the source of discomfort, for not all pain can be removed. In the example of compassion for child who fell down, a father cannot make the pain go away, but he can comfort the child through it. Likewise, it is not God's will to take us out of the pains of this world (John 17:15) but He is our comforter (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Encourage Children

Paul encouraged the church in the same way a father encourages his children (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). This encouragement is more than just urging children unto right living. Jesus telling the adulteress woman to "Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11 NIV) was a perfect example of urging right living, yet if we read this scripture we find that Jesus went beyond telling the woman not to sin. His words of encouragement were "neither do I condemn you" (John 8:11 NIV). So should a father encourage his children. Certainly he should expect them to do what is right, but when they don't he should not provoke the child to anger with discouraging words or actions (Ephesians 6:4 & Colossians 3:21). After all, isn't this the way our father in heaven treats us (Psalms 10:17).

Delight in Children

Solomon tells us that disciplining a child results in "delight to your soul" (Proverbs 29:17 NIV). What better reason is there to rejoice, then when your children do something right? But a child does not have to be perfect to bring joy to his father's eyes. God called Ephraim "the child in whom I delight" (Jeremiah 31:20) even though He often spoke against them.

Psalms 149:4 - For the LORD takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. (NIV)

Making God our Father…

As can be clearly seen, God is characterized by Fatherly attributes. However, God is not the Father of everyone. Let us examine the steps that make a person a child of God…

• Believe Jesus is the Christ - "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…" (1 John 5:1 NIV)


• Have Faith in Christ Jesus - "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26 NIV)


• Receive Jesus - "Yet to all who received Him…He gave the right to become children of God--" (John 1:12 NIV)


• Believe in the Name of Jesus - "…to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--" (John 1:12 NIV).


• Receive the Lord's Discipline - "…the Lord disciplines…everyone He accepts as a son." (Hebrews 12:6 NIV)


• Do what is Right - "This is how we know who the children of God are…Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God…" (1 John 3:10 NIV)


• Be Lead by the Holy Spirit - "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14 NIV)


• Be a Peacemakers - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9 NIV).


• Love your brothers - "'This is how we know who the children of God are…anyone who does not love his brother.' is not a child of God" (1 John 3:10 NIV).


• Love your enemies - "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then…you will be sons of the Most High…" (Luke 6:35 NIV)

It is important to remember that anyone who is not a brother in Christ is on the side of the enemy. When God says to love our brothers and to love our enemies, He is in fact telling us that we are to love everyone, because everyone is either a brother or an enemy.

If the above list looks suspiciously like the road to salvation, that's because it is. Our salvation is focused around the Fatherhood of God.

Benefits of having God as our Father…

And because we are children of God, we receive more than just salvation for our sins. Let's look at some of the benefits the children of God receive…

Rights of Sons

According to Paul, Jesus came so "that we might receive the full rights of sons," (Galatians 4:5 NIV). What are these rights of sons we receive? When one looks at the example of a wealthy household, We can distinguish a difference between the rights of the children and the rights of the servants.

• Inheritance - When a child reaches the age of maturity, he receives a portion of the father's wealth and power (Luke 15:12), yet no matter how long a servant is in the house, he acquires no right to share in this claim. The Bible says that we are heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).


• Provisions - If a servant suddenly decided not to work, he would soon find himself out of a job. If a child decided not to work, he might find himself disciplined, but he would still be fed (Luke 15:22). With children the supplying of needs is a gift, but with servants it is part of the payment for serving (Romans 4:4-5). God tells us that seeking His kingdom will result in our needs being supplied (Matthew 26:33). This "seeking God's kingdom" is not working like a servant, because we don't earn our salvation through works (Ephesians 2:8-9). "Seeking God's kingdom" is the process that results in us becoming God's children, by which we receive our provisions.

Forgiveness

As I stated before, good fathers forgive their children, and God forgives us. There is only one condition for God forgiving us, and that is that we follow His example to also forgive others (Matthew 6:14).

Salvation

Salvation is probably the most important benefit a child of God receives (Hebrews 2:10). What good would there be in calling God our Father, if we were still condemned to be eternally separated from Him?

Reward

When we become a child of God, all of the "good" things we do that are worthless in achieving our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) suddenly become valuable in God's eyes. The Bible tells us that there is reward for our good works (Ephesians 6:8), providing they are not done to show off to the world (Matthew 6:6,18).

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is our source of power in this Earthly realm. It was the Holy Spirit who gave Jesus and the apostles the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise the dead (Acts 1:8 & Acts 10:38). This same source of power is promised to every child of God. The only requirement to receiving Him is to ask (Luke 11:13).


Such are the benefits of all who are saved in Christ Jesus. We have God as our Father, and by His Word we know what that means.

Romans 8:19-21 - The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Note: I researched this material as a young man in Bible college many years ago. I specifically chose to post it today September 30 2009, in memory of my dad who passed away on this day exactly one year ago. My dad was a devout Christian who loved God dearly and taught me many things about God. What better way to honor the memory of my earthly father, than to honor my Heavenly Father…


James :)