People are convinced that God is angry, disappointed, punishing and judgmental. Let me assure you, the Bible proves, that is not the nature of God.
Contrary to the world’s opinion God is actually holy, righteous, just and also loving, merciful, gracious, kind, forgiving and empowering.
How can you know what God, the Father really looks like?
By looking at Jesus!
Jesus dealt with our inability to know the nature of God. He Himself said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” God looks like Jesus, because while Jesus was fully man, He was also fully God.
Christ was not afraid of sinners, He was their friend. He never gave anyone an excuse as to why they cannot be healed, instead He healed everyone who was sick. Wherever He went, he brought freedom and deliverance to those who were bound.
The life of Jesus points us to this truth: A good Father, like God will do anything for his kids, even if it means laying down his own life for their good. He gave up His only Son to give humanity true freedom.
Many have not encountered a father like this, which is exactly why Jesus came; to reveal a heavenly Father who is better than anything we could imagine. He was a physical example of the love that God has for us.
I want to encourage you today: No matter how hopeless you feel right now, this amazing Father loves you, and is right there with you to set you free!
Meditate on Jesus and you’ll find the Father:
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” -John 14:12
Jesus covered sinners.
Jesus healed the sick.
Jesus accepted the rejected.
Jesus set the oppressed free.
Jesus forgave sin.
Jesus removed shame.
Jesus listened to people.
Jesus gave hope to the hopeless.
Jesus protected the vulnerable.
Jesus comforted the broken-hearted.
Jesus brought laughter and joy.
Jesus brought peace to turmoil.
Jesus revealed truth in the midst of lies.
Jesus did miracles to provide for others.
Jesus demonstrated the reality of another world.
Jesus laid down His life so others could live.
Jesus empowers us to live like Him.
Everything Jesus modeled was a good Father.
Activation:
- Get comfortable and take 3 minutes to imagine what the Father is like. Think about how He revealed Himself through Jesus.
- Are there any lies that you have believed about the nature of Father God? Write them down and leave them at the foot of the cross.
Declaration:
- “I know that the Father loves me, because Jesus demonstrated it by dying on the cross!”
- “The Father’s embrace is the safest place in the world for me! I will not be afraid of punishment when I come to God, because I know Jesus has paid for all my mistakes."