The God Series, Part One: Discovering the Loving Heart of Our Heavenly Father
We’ve all faced moments where others misjudge or misunderstand us. It's frustrating and can make us feel isolated or alone.
Have you ever been seen as someone you're not? Maybe someone thought you were mean or selfish, and you wondered, "Where did that come from?" We all have times when others get us totally wrong.
Have you ever said one thing, but someone heard something completely different? Miscommunication happens often, and it can lead to misunderstandings.
Have you ever met someone and found they weren’t anything like you thought? Maybe you had a preconceived notion, but when you met them, they surprised you.
These experiences with people can also reflect how we sometimes view God. We might misjudge or misunderstand Him based on what others say or our own misconceptions.
But the truth is, God is not like any person we've ever met. He is infinitely loving and merciful.
Three Amazing Things About God
Despite our misconceptions, there are some amazing truths about God that we need to understand deeply to know Him better.
God Is a Father
First and foremost, God is a Father. He is not distant or detached; He is intimately involved in our lives.
Jesus Is God with Us
Secondly, Jesus is God with us. He walked among us, sharing in our humanity and showing us God's love in person.
The Holy Spirit Is God in Us
Lastly, the Holy Spirit is God in us. He dwells within us, guiding and comforting us in our daily lives. Understanding these aspects helps us see God not as a far-off entity, but as a loving and present Father.
God as a Loving Father
To truly grasp God's nature, we need to see Him as a loving Father. This changes everything about our relationship with Him. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us to pray, "Our Father in heaven." This was a revolutionary idea at the time, showing God as a caring parent.
The Intimacy of "Abba"
The term "Abba" used in the Bible means "Daddy." It signifies not just a father figure, but a deeply personal and loving relationship.
God is not just a disciplinarian; He is invested in our lives, caring deeply about our well-being.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Parable of the Prodigal Son beautifully illustrates God's unconditional love and forgiveness.
The son demands his inheritance, essentially telling his father, "You're dead to me." He leaves, only to hit rock bottom in a foreign land.
Despite the son's rebellion, the father never stops longing for his return. He watches the horizon, hoping to see his son come home.
When the father sees his son returning, he runs to him, an act considered undignified in their culture. This shows the depth of his love. The father embraces the son, restoring him fully, not as a servant, but as a beloved child.
God's Boundless Love
This parable reflects how God loves us. No matter how far we stray, His love remains constant and welcoming.
Romans 8:38-39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Understanding God as a loving Father changes our perspective.
He is not distant or angry but is deeply invested in our lives, ready to embrace us with open arms. Let's strive to deepen our relationship with Him, knowing that His love for us is unconditional and everlasting.
The Parables of the Lost Coin and Lost Sheep
Jesus shares these parables to highlight how much God values and loves each of us individually.
The Lost Coin
In this parable, a widow loses a coin and turns her house upside down to find it. Though the coin's value isn't specified, her determination shows its importance.
We are like that coin. No matter how small or insignificant we may feel, God values us immensely and will go to great lengths to find us.
The Lost Sheep
The parable of the lost sheep tells of a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to find one that is lost. This shows God's relentless pursuit of each of us.
If even one of us strays, God will search until we are found, demonstrating His personal and unconditional love.
Luke 15:7 emphasizes this, saying, "There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
God's Love for the Unlovable
Many struggle with the idea that God could love them, feeling unworthy or unlovable.
We often believe that if others knew our true selves, they wouldn't love us. This makes it hard to accept that God, who knows everything about us, could love us.
Despite knowing us completely, God loves us more than anyone. His love isn't based on our actions but on His nature.
Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Parental Love
Like parents who love their children despite their mistakes, God’s love remains steadfast. His goal is always to restore us and see our lives improve.
Psalm 103:13-14 reminds us, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."
The Four Greek Words for Love
Understanding the different types of love helps us grasp the depth of God's love for us.
Eros: Eros is passionate, romantic love, often found in marriage. This type of love is crucial in a marital relationship.
Storge: Storge is familial love, a "because of" love. It's the love we have for family members, appreciating their unique qualities.
Philia: Philia is friendship love. It’s the bond between close friends and companions. Every marriage and deep relationship needs this type of love.
Agape: Agape is unconditional love, the highest form of love. This is the love that God has for us, unchanging and unwavering.
Our Takeaway: Understanding Who God Is
Understanding God’s nature as a loving Father changes our relationship with Him. Psalm 30:5 says, "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." This verse reassures us that God's favor is constant and enduring, always present in our lives.
God is not against us; He is for us. He desires our success and well-being, just as any loving parent would. Romans 8:31 affirms, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Knowing who God truly is—a loving, caring, and forgiving Father—helps us deepen our relationship with Him. Let's embrace this understanding and allow it to transform our lives, knowing that His love for us is unconditional and everlasting.
The Titanic Analogy: Two Groups of People
The story of the Titanic offers a profound analogy for our spiritual journey. At the Titanic headquarters, people anxiously awaited news about their loved ones.
Two Signs, Two Destinies
The headquarters had two signs: "Those Known to Have Survived" and "Those Known to Have Perished." Initially, there were three groups of people, but in the end, only two mattered—those who survived and those who perished.
Survivors
Perished
Money, status, or influence couldn't save anyone. What mattered was whether they made it or not.
Our Spiritual Choice
Similarly, our spiritual journey boils down to a choice. God loves us so much that He gives us free will. He won't force us to be with Him if we don't want to.
Joshua 24:15 reminds us, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."
Invitation to Accept Christ and Rededicate Your Life
God's love invites us to make a choice. Today, we have an opportunity to choose our path with God.
If you want to invite Jesus into your heart and start a relationship with Him, now is the time. This is a decision you'll never regret.
For those who feel they've lost their way, it's time to get back on track. God is always ready to welcome you back with open arms.
1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
