THE RELATION OF THOSE IN CHRIST TO THE FATHER

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6).

Devotion 2 of 11 Significance of the Father #2 It is He who has blessed us

The favorable condition in which we find ourselves in Christ Jesus is owing to our heavenly Father. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). The Father blesses us through the Son and in the Spirit, but it He who blesses us. No wonder Paul broke forth in this shout of praise! Once our hearts grasp it, we too lift up the shout of praise!

He gives us the spirit of wisdom and revelation

Being truly wise is more spiritual than academic--and it is the result of the Father's work. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph. 1:17). The extent of our reconciliation can be perceived to a greater degree in this revelation. The Father Himself will, through the Son, confer His own perspective upon us. He will give us to see as He does, at least to the measure, or degree, to which we are able to receive it.

We have access to the Father through the Spirit

Religious attainment in this world is not the objective of the new creation (2 Cor 5:17). In Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit, we gain acess to the Father. "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph. 2:18). What a glorious benefit! The Israelite under Law did not have access to the Father. Indeed, even the High Priest could approach the Lord only once a year--and then, it was not as his Father. Through the Holy Spirit, Who sensitizes our spirits to the Lord, and illuminates our minds concerning His Person and purpose, we come to the Father to appropriate what is required to get us from earth to glory.

The confession of Jesus glorifies the Father

In some churches, the individual seeking to be identified with them is required to make a confession of their creed. God is honored when we confess His Son! "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:11). Here is a perspective that is not common in contemporary churches! The Lord Jesus is our Life, and the exclusive way to God. When we confess that He is Lord, doing it with a perceptive heart, we bring glory to "God the Father," Who sent Him to save us from our sins and bring us to Him.

The Father qualified us for the inheritance

Whatever you may think of gaining an eternal inheritance, you do have to be qualified. It is the Father Himself Who qualifies us in Christ Jesus. "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12). Again, the Father uses appointed means: the Lord Jesus, His death, His resurrection, and His present Intercession. He also uses the Holy Spirit, Who convicts, persuades, and enlightens, using the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But when all is said and done, the Father has qualified us, and we are to give Him thanks! Had He not done so, we would have forever remained unqualified!

Conditionally, He promises to be a Father unto us

The word "unconditional" has been popularized by many religious sophists. The word is not found in any major translation of Scripture, and has no place in our foundational vocabulary! In a matter so fundamental as God being our Father, a condition is attached to the realization of that relationship. "Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:18). The Divine intimacy related to salvation has scarcely been perused by the professing church. Enamored of things that are seen, it has not looked into this gracious affiliation.

Deliver by the Father's Will

Our deliverance was according to the Father's will. "Who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Gal.1:4). Jesus Christ executed the will of the Father in delivering us from this contaminated world. When the Word, Who was in the beginning with God and was God, humbled Himself to become a Servant, He did so to fulfill the will of the Father. Had He not volunteered for this indispensable work, it would never have been done, and we could not have been saved. PRAYER POINT: Father, I rejoice in beholding something of your activity in my salvation. Forgive me for not seeing this as clearly as it can be seen, and grant me eyesalve, that I may see and enjoy it more fully.

-- TOMORROW: THE SITUATION --