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Delighting in the Truth: God the Father, by Pastor Charlie Handren

By Anonymous
     From January to March, we will be offering a series of devotionals on our Membership Affirmation of Faith. Our aim in this series is to help Glory of Christ grow in our understanding of truth, our love of the God of truth, our love of one another, and our love of unbelievers. The Affirmation is made up of eight articles of faith, the second of which is entitled “God the Father” and reads as follows:
We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (Luke 10:21-22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; I Timothy 1:1-2; 2:5-6; I Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6).
     Oh what a treasure-trove of truths in which to delight! First, notice that God exists from everlasting to everlasting. He never came into being and he will never cease being. Simply put, God the Father is, which is why he calls himself Yahweh which means “I Am.” Second, notice that he is personal and not impersonal. He is a relational being and not merely the impersonal essence of Being. Third, notice that he is flawless in all of his attributes, not the least of which are his holiness, wisdom, power, and love. Everything God is, he is to an infinitely perfect degree. Fourth, notice that while God is very great, he is also very near. Theologians refer to these aspects of God as transcendence (greatness) and his immanence (his nearness. Oh what blessings await those who will prayerfully reflect on the equal and opposite aspects of the being of God the Father.
     Fifth, notice that because God is great and yet near, he delights to hear and answer the prayers of those who call on his name. And while he won’t answer in the way we expect or desire, he will always answer the cry of those who plead for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Oh what a mighty and merciful God we love and serve!
      As you reflect on God the Father, take some time to ponder the following questions, preferably along with other believers: (1) How can a better understanding of the Father help us to worship him? (2) How can a better understanding of the Father help us to love other believers? (3) How can a better understanding of the Father help us to gain a greater passion to share the gospel with unbelievers near and far?


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