CGOM: God is Father

In its July 2007 newsletter, CGOM (UK) writes:

Fatherhood of God
Unpopular as discipline may be in our day, the Bible is clear that the Father God takes seriously his responsibility to discipline His children: ‘For they [our human fathers] indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness’ (Hebrews 12:10).

As imperfect children we need disciplining! We need correction. Wrote the Psalmist: ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting’ (Psalm 139:23-24).

It’s all too easy to dismiss the notion that God is behind some of our troubles. Those financial reverses – are they just ‘bad luck’? Or the job loss? What about an illness that won’t go away? Do we have relationship problems? Should we not ask if perhaps our Father – our loving spiritual Father – is trying to get through to us?

What, then, can we do?

…start from the assumption that we are yet imperfect, that we still have lessons to
learn, personality traits to eliminate
…assume, until it is clear otherwise, that our ‘trouble’ is indeed divine correction
…ask the LORD to show you what is His message, how He desires you to change
…search the Scriptures to compare your lifestyle with the divine standard
…get wise counsel from mature Bible-believing Christians; but beware of pseudo-psychology
…accept joyfully that God knows what He is doing: ‘My brothers count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfective work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask from God, who gives to all freely and with no reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:2-5)
…all of us need a ‘personality transplant’. Our behavioural standard – what as Christians we aim for – is to be that of Jesus Christ. The apostle John writes: ‘Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that which is in the world: the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and its lust. But the one doing the will of God abides forever’ (I John 2:15-17)

Change is indeed a challenge. Sinful habits are deeply implanted in our nature. With God’s help coupled with our personal application we can become more Christ-like. Ω

An article of possibly related interest may be Is The Father God? It attempts to answer questions such as that as well as what was the view of the early church?

Another article of possible interest may include What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know?