Section 6 - The God and Father of Believers
                  Conclusion
 

The God and Father of Believers

It is in this intimate family relationship that we, believers, are identified with God in Scripture. Those who are sealed with holy spirit (Eph.1:13,14) – which also makes its home in them (Rom.8:9,11; 1Cor.3:16,17; 2Tim.1:14) -  have the privilege of being sons of God through Jesus Christ. 

1Cor.8:6    nevertheless for us there is one God, the Father, 
out of Whom all is, and we for Him,

Eph.4:4-6  … one God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all. 

Eph.1:3-6  ..designating us beforehand
for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus;

Rom.8:29   whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, 
to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren.

Gal.3:26  you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

2Cor.1:21  He Who is confirming us together with you in Christ, and anoints us, is God, 

Eph.1:13,14   In Whom you also--
on hearing, believing, you are sealed with the holy spirit of promise 

2Cor.1:22  Who also seals us and is giving the earnest of the spirit in our hearts.

Eph.4:30  … to the holy spirit of God by which you are sealed for the day of deliverance.

Rom.8:16,17  the spirit itself is testifying together with our spirit 
that we are children of God.. 

Rom.8:14   For whoever are being led by God's spirit, these are sons of God. 

Rom.8:9   …if anyone has not Christ’s spirit, this one is not His.

Rom.8:15  …but you got the spirit of sonship, in which we are crying, "Abba, Father!" 

Gal.4:6,7 …you are sons, God delegates the spirit of His Son into our hearts, 
crying "Abba! Father!"

Mt.6:9  Our Father Who art in the heavens…

Eph.5:20,21   giving thanks always for all things, ….to our God and Father,

Conclusion

The faith we have in the One, Only, and True God is entirely, solely, a gift of God. We are given to believe in God but, much more than that, we are enabled to believe what He says.

God is spirit, neither affected nor limited by laws of Science, or 'universal laws', that determine shape or form or action. He permeates space, so that every particle of matter that exists is IN Him. Being unlimited, infinite, there can be nothing outside of Him. It cannot be said that until a certain point in space God is, but beyond that point He is not. As such, we will never be outside of Him to be able to look at Him. And, being spirit, intangible, He cannot be sensed by our natural faculties. Scripture insists that the true God is invisible. As such, to know this only God is beyond the ability of humanity.

Natural revelation demonstrates that there must be a Supreme Being, God. But, not being able to define Him, or to quantify Him in any way, humanity has come up with various concepts concerning the Deity. And, wanting something to focus on, man has fallen into idolatry, bringing God down to the level of His creatures - and with their flawed thinking, inhibitions and restrictions.

Some, who claim to be more pragmatic 'thinkers', even deny the very existence of God. They appoint themselves as authorities, devising 'progressive' principles which the unenlightened ones are expected to follow - effectively setting themselves up as gods. But, according to the assessment of Scripture, they are the really foolish ones 

The true knowledge of God comes only from God's Self-revelation in the Scriptures. According to His choice and according to His set schedule each one of humanity will be given this understanding of the truth of God. 

The world envisages a volatile, cantankerous, and vindictive Deity, One Whose ego must be assuaged, Whose whims must be catered to, Whose ascribed attributes must be praised, and Whose anger must be appeased. We who have been called, however, have been given to see a more intimate reality - the God of love and benevolence, One Who is truly omniscient and omnipotent, supreme and fatherly, initiating and claiming full responsibility for all that takes place.

There is only ONE God! The Father, God, is the absolute Source of all, the One out of Whom all is. He is, and chooses to identify Himself as, the God and Father of Jesus Christ. Scripture refers to a class of beings called elohim, a Hebrew word often translated God or gods, who exercise a delegated office under the direction of the Supreme. It is the Father Who delegates His authority to these, who are to subject others, in the process of carrying out His grand ultimate purpose. This term is applied to Christ, to other men, as well as to messengers, within such a framework.

God creates all. He is the Creator of evil, even. He demonstrates that evil is a temporary, though very necessary, part of God's plan and is always within His control. There is no place for Dualism. The fact is that everything occurs according to the purpose of the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will! It is His will that is supreme.

God’s love is absolute. He designed for a correspondingly whole-hearted response from each and every one of mankind. According to a set schedule, He will draw all His creatures into a loving and meaningful relationship with Him. But for now, only we, of the body of Christ, have been given this signal privilege to understand, to appreciate, and to begin reciprocating His love in an intimate family relationship as sons of God. 

Religions, including orthodox Christianity, insist that we are responsible for our salvation - at least to some extent. Scripture, however, asserts that our conversion is entirely outside of our control - it is God’s reserved, exclusive, prerogative to grant it! God knows us thoroughly. We are an open book to Him - there is no hiding behind pretences and facades. He knows what we are - for He made us that way! Only He knows what it will take to align us to His goals. Hence, at every stage of our adjustment we are His achievement!

Sad to say, this is not an acceptable teaching in 'Christian' circles. In their concepts and doctrines, they have become enmeshed in the clutching tentacles of paganism. Human wisdom is naturally more appealing and alluring. Unless God intervenes they will continue to have an affinity for this worldly perspective. And, by not acknowledging God as GOD, the Disposer, the Subjector, the Placer, they are presently doomed to wallow in error and confusion. But they will come to know the true God, and they will, wholeheartedly, give the glory to Him, the Father! 

What can we say concerning this revelation through the passages of Scripture that we have considered? Perhaps, the words Paul uttered in wonder and admiration, suit us just as well.

Rom.11:33-36   O, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! 
How inscrutable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 
For, who knew the mind of the Lord? or, who became His adviser? 
or, who gives to Him first, and it will be repaid him? 
seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all: 
to Him be the glory for the eons! Amen!

Back to:
....Main menu of articles

....Section 1 -  Introduction
......................God is Spirit
......................He is Unknowable Apart From His Revelation
....Section 2 - God's Titles and Offices
......................His Name
....Section 3 - Yahweh: Only He is God
......................He is the Only Sourcee 
....Section 4 - He is the Creator
......................He is the Supreme Subjector and Placer
....Section 5 - Constant and Reliable 
......................The God and Father of Jesus Christ