Knowing The Father

Many—perhaps most—professing Christians think of Christianity in terms of justice. God is just; God must judge sin. Consequently, life comes to be viewed as a series of blessings and judgments from the hand of God; everything is about the carrot and the stick; the reward and the punishment. Do right, and experience God’s blessing; do wrong, and endure God’s judgment. This view often leads people to bargain with God. “I’ll be really good, so God will bless me and answer my prayer.” Or, “I know God will punish me for what I’m about to do, but I’ll accept His judgment—because I really, really want to do this.” Extended a little further, many Christians gamble eternal rewards in exchange for a less holy life. “I know I won’t get rewards in Heaven, but at least I’ll be there.”

This bargaining mentality leads to endless questions like, “Can a Christian _____?” or “If I only do this sin one time, can I still go to Heaven?”

Everything seems to be about getting to Heaven.

I’m afraid we have made Christianity into something like a religious exchange. “I’ll go to church on Sunday, if I can party on Saturday night! God won’t judge me too harshly, will He? After all, he knows my weaknesses, doesn’t He?”

But none of that is a true picture of Christianity.

Jesus came that we might know the Father.

Knowing God as our Father is an altogether different idea of what it means to be a Christian. He made us, He loves us, He cares for us. He wants us to know Him; not bargain with Him. He longs that we have a relationship with Him; not learn more facts about Him. He desires that we be with Him; not that we try to get stuff from Him. He calls us to a relationship now; not just to Heaven someday.

Sadly, there are many in our time and culture who do not know the joy of having a loving father. To you, I would simply encourage you to imagine what it would be like—as a small child—to have such a person in your life. Someone who smiles whenever he thinks of you; who plans his day to have time with you; who lives his life to meet your every need; who would give his life to protect or salvage yours. God, our Father, is all this and so much more.

In this relationship with my Father, to be with Him is its own reward. To disappoint Him is the sorest judgment. To separate myself from Him, a hell of endless duration until I rush back into His presence. Sin? Anything that disappoints Him. Judgment? Allowing myself to forget—for even a moment—the joy of basking in His smile. Heaven? Wherever He is. My greatest joy? Whatever He wills for me.

Jesus’ first recorded statement was about his Father. (Luke 2:49) Jesus’ last cry on the cross was to his Father. (Luke 23:46) Jesus’ hope for his followers was that they know the Father. (John 14) Jesus’ resurrection message to his disciples was that his Father was their Father. (John 20:17)

Do you know my Father?

Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:7