3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
What is Love? What does it mean to be a 'good' Father, Husband, Mother, Brother, Friend, Boss, Student, Teacher, Son e.t.c? If God is our father what does that mean?
For far too long, we have tried to understand the relationships we are meant to have with God through our human relationships, through other people's experiences in their human relationships, through our own experiences and so on.
We liken the relationship that we (the bride of Christ) have with Jesus to the one we have with our spouse but in the bible Jesus Christ likens marriage to his relationship with the church.
Ephesians 5:25
New King James Version (NKJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her
What does this mean? What is the difference?
Jesus is saying, Love the way I love you. You are not expected to discover what love is on your own then apply it to your relationship with God. No...
Jesus is saying, Love the way I love you. You are not expected to discover what love is on your own then apply it to your relationship with God. No...
- Husband: Jesus is the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)
- Friend: God called us friend (Luke 12:4, James 4:4)
- Brother: We are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8: 17)
- Father: We cry out Abba father (Romans 8:15)
- Teacher&Comforter: The Holy spirit is our teacher and comforter (Luke 12:12)
- Pastor and Priest: Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 4:15)
- Master: God is our Lord (The whole bible)
- Advocate: Jesus advocates on our behalf (1John2:1)
- Intercessor: The Holy spirit intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27)
- Son of God: Jesus showed us what it means during his time on earth
God is the first husband, father, brother, pastor, intercessor, teacher etc, all the manuals and commandments in the world cannot replace the enablement that comes from experiencing him in all these roles. We would know what is expected of us when we read a passage like this one below if we can relate because we have experienced God playing all these roles in his relationship with us. No other relationship can define our 'GOD-US' relationship. It is in fact in relating with God that we know how other relationships SHOULD work.
Colossians 3:15-4:1
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
4 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Jesus in speaking to people who had not yet experienced a personal relationship with God as a father, referred to the earthly relationship between a father and his son in order to show 'a shadow' of the 'God (father)-US(child)' relationship and he said.... "if you who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE...will your heavenly father give..."
Its okay to try and explain the relationship with God using earthly relationships but HOW MUCH MORE wonderful it would be to experience God in every way and let him enable us to be a better EVERYTHING (father,mother,brother,teacher,friend,husband...)
Halleluyah, I leave you with these beautiful words
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord God, You are awesome, wonderful and great. Your ways are pure and sincere. You are truly all I need and hope for. Heavenly father help me to live, move and breathe in you, to experience your love and relationship in every way so that I can function in my relationships the way you would have me do. Glory, honor and adoration be to you. Take all of me Lord. Make this word not just a part of my mind, but a part of my heart. Motivate me towards your ways. I realize there is more to my relationship with you than my mind can imagine. Make me hungry for more, FILL ME Lord In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
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