Back to the page directory

Upon hearing that the eminent Dr. Einstein theorized the universe was limited by the distance light could travel, two grade school children - not knowing any better - speculated upon an infinity-2. After all, if "infinity-1" has limits, what lies outside those limits? Maybe there is an infinity-3, 4, etc. The genius of a renowned scholar made foolish by children.

Isn't it fascinating how even the most brilliant humans cannot quite figure out the Alpha and Omega of existence? They can't, because their efforts bring them into direct confrontation with a boundless, limitless and infinite God.

Just for example, scientists need constancy of measurement. How could they possibly determine the size of a table, speed of a train, the distance of Jupiter if their units of time and distance aren't stable? When they get into major things like the distance to stars or the antiquity of the earth, they must rely upon the stability of the electromagnetic spectrum - light and radioactivity - for their "ruler." The household yardstick or the carpenters tape measure just won't do.

So it is the invariability of "light-years" they must rely upon to measure the vast distances of space. But it isn't. It speeds up and slows down, bends and curves. Can you imagine what the house would look like built with such an unreliable ruler?

"Radiocarbon" dating is the ruler of time used to determine antiquity. The principle is that "radioactivity" decays at a constant rate - it is the big scientific "clock" used to measure the billions of years of terrestrial and celestial existence. Radiation is part of the same electromagnetic as light and subject to the same fluctuations.

Let us sweep all of these questions aside. So, out of all of this predictability and "constancy," what is the scientific paradigm for "In the Beginning?" The BIG BANG" theory? Suddenly, without notice or warning something exploded into existence out of nothing? Really? One gigantic explosion was the beginning of everything? From nothing - nothing exploded into everything? An explosion, predictability, constancy all in the same sentence without choking with laughter? And here we are untold millenniums of something or other time later still dashing away from the "point of origin" at the constant speed of light?

And our grade-school children are to believe all of this? They are to believe that, in the midst of the chaos of an explosion, one will find repetition, predictability and constancy. This is what they are taught as "rock-solid" scientific truth? Right! All is not hopeless. After all science has concluded there was a beginning. Yes, and God created.

†

Back to the page directory

Heb 2:6-7 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor (NIV)

That glory and honor was tarnished by the transgressions of Adam. But, it is Adam who provides the answer to the question asked by Paul. We are created in His image and in His likeness. When we look in the mirror, or at a fellow human being, we should remember that.

Lest we forget, He delights in us. In the garden, He walked with us. Listen to the beauty of this passage,

Genesis 3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (NIV)

He walked and talked with us. He will again. God desires a personal relationship with the star of His creation. He always has. It is we who have chosen to reject His hand of friendship. It is still extended awaiting our grasp.

The eternal love of God for His children, that which led Him to offer His Son to restore us to His fellowship, can only be interpreted into a sense of humble self-worth. Schuller wrote, "As we focus on Jesus Christ, we shall discover a new theology, one that offers salvation from shame to self-esteem." (p.39)

That is the word we need to first believe and then carry to our loved ones, neighbors, fellow workers - all whom we meet. In word and deed, we need to convey the magnificent story of the Lord God, creator of the universe, offering his eternal friendship to each of us. Amen.

Rom ans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? (NIV)

Least of all ourselves! †

Isn't the account of how the LORD God created us just simply beautiful? He formed us from the dust of the ground. Now, just exactly how He accomplished the task is not recorded. However, would it be unreasonable to imagine Him, as a sculptor, working at His potter's wheel fashioning us out of the clay of the ground? Then, He is finished. That shapeless blob of dirt has, by His very own hands, been bent and twisted, molded, into the form of man. Not a "naked ape," but in His image. Then, into that lifeless form, He breathed the breath of life. He kissed us.

Then, there is that other matter. You know, Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. The one He sacrificed for OUR sins. What about Him? If this LORD God in the Garden was such a mean and vindictive person, why in the world, why in all of creation, would He ever have done such a thing? Put things in human perspective, say the perspective of Abraham and Isaac, or you and your child. Would you sacrifice one of your children for someone whom kept insulting you and spitting in your face? Right, sure, you bet. Well, God did. That leaves us with the choice either He, God, did not love His Son or He loves us so very much. He, His son, is our redeemer. Things were, by His blood, made right between ourselves and our creator. We are back in the Garden of Eden, and, in the cool of the evening He will "walk with us and talk with us and tell us we are His own." God is love! †

 Back to the page directory

It is written in the Book of Job that the Lord God Almighty asked Satan where he had been. Satan replied, "FROM GOING TO AND FRO IN THE EARTH, AND FROM WALKING UP AND DOWN IN IT." Imagine that, Satan walking about, prowling around - up to no good. If that doesn't produce chills, nothing will. Do you suppose he is still walking "to and fro?" Yes. Such a frightful prospect, a fallen angel, one of the hosts of heaven, stalking us.

In contrast to this finite and doomed image of evil is the impression of Holy strength. The prophet asks, "WHO IS THIS, ROBED IN SPLENDOR, STRIDING FORWARD IN THE GREATNESS OF HIS STRENGTH?" Jesus responds. "IT IS I." This is the Messiah, the Son of God.

This great warrior speaking in righteousness is our Savior, our Redeemer. He is our champion and advocate before the Throne of God. He comes "in righteousness mighty to save." It is only He who may do so. And, He desires to save us. He comes, "mighty to save." He comes to redeem, to sever us from our bondage. That is His burning mission, His purpose for living and dying.

Along the way, between birth and crucifixion, Jesus lived as we are to live and worshipped as we are to worship - directed and dedicated to the Glory of our Father.

Listen to this, "God, the Almighty, sent His eternal Son to testify in our hearts that we are sons of God, and to give us confidence and utterance to enable us to call God our Father" <Gal 4:5-6; Rom. 8:15> (adopted from International Standard Bible Encylopaedia, Copyright (C) 1996 by Biblesoft)

Isn't that nearly incomprehensible? God, the creator, the creator of heaven and earth, the creator of everything, sent HIS SON to witness to us. Jesus of Bethlehem, from the place of David's birth, son of a carpenter came to plead God's case before us. Isn't that extraordinary?

No other religion portrays their god(s) pleading to be recognized, let alone making a divine sacrifice. Indeed, most religions of the world require human pleading and sacrifices in their attempts to please their gods.

The Psalmist writes, WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU ART MINDFUL OF HIM? AND THE SON OF MAN, THAT THOU VISITEST HIM? Psalm 8:4 (KJV) And he answers his own question, "FOR THOU HAST MADE HIM A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS, AND HAST CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOUR. Psalm 8:5-9 (KJV)

This is the Glory of Christmas that He is at all mindful of us and that He "visited" His Son to us. This is the true story. It is God's total gift of grace - His son; our Lord and Savior. "It is a victory obtained by the grace of God in Christ over our spiritual enemies." (from Matthew Henry's Commentary) Satan is still "going to and fro in the earth," but God, "robed in splendor," is our high priest sitting at the right hand of God.

The Glory of Christmas is the triumphant Jesus. He has come, speaking justice, strong to save. And He ALWAYS LEADS US IN TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION....AND THROUGH US SPREADS EVERYWHERE THE FRAGRANCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM.

2 Cor 2:14(NIV) †

Back to the page directory

There is nothing more basic in Christianity than confessing the Fatherhood of God. Genesis begins with the words, "In the beginning God created..." Although the next several verses report He said, saw, called and made, the sum of it all is that He created everything. He is the Father of all. He is our Father. We were created in His image for the holy purpose of Glorifying Him. He has always desired a loving relationship with us. We decline. All history is a report of His efforts toward that relationship. Christmas is a celebration of the greatest gift of His son for reconciliation.

In his book, Self-Esteem: the New Reformation, Dr. Schuller concludes his chapter titled "The Fatherhood of God" with the following:

Now - by the grace of Christ I am introduced to my Heavenly Father. If Christ - the Ideal One - (1) accepts me, (2) forgives me, (3) assures me that God is my Father and it's safe to draw near to the Heavenly Father, (4) announces to me that God wants to use me in a beautiful work of sharing Christian love in this world - then truly I am being deeply, positively transformed! (p.68)

In this short excerpt, he emphasizes the vital points of the New Reformation. First, we must be transformed - born again! Second, this transformation comes through Jesus Christ and none other. It is He who paves the way to reunion with our Father. Third, the whole purpose of the entire operation is God the Father. We are created to glorify Him with our love (1) for Him. (2) Shown by the love we have for all those around us. Stop for a moment in a mall packed with shoppers and look around. Everyone, everyone, wow! (3) Because we love ourselves -made possible because He first loved us. Now isn't that Scriptural?

Finally, He, God, wants us - all of us - to be active participants in His great work. Just imagine what great works all those in that crowded mall could do if their focus was on the glory of God. Now if you had carefully looked about, you might have discovered someone contemplating you with the same thoughts.

Is there any other mission or undertaking more worthy? The glad tidings of reconciliation with the Father through Jesus Christ is to be taken to all the world - to every creature! (Mark 16:15)

LABOUR NOT FOR THE MEAT WHICH PERISHETH, BUT FOR THAT MEAT WHICH ENDURETH UNTO EVERLASTING LIFE, WHICH THE SON OF MAN SHALL GIVE UNTO YOU: FOR HIM HATH GOD THE FATHER SEALED.JOHN 6:27 (KJV)†

Back to the page directory

The fact that we are still breathing and enjoying the beauty of this green earth is powerful testimony to the love of God. We hear a great deal about that love from the pulpit. Its probably a safe assumption that any one seeking to learn of God's nature would soon discover as John aptly writes, And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16). And, that is good. The certainty of His love is found throughout the Scriptures, including John 3:16, but no where more beautifully expressed than in Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them Isn't it wondrous! We are the image of Him. We are His children, the object of His fatherly love. We are given dominion over the earth He created. We are connected to His divine nature through our Lord Jesus the Christ.

However, we must also understand that He gets angry, very angry. Many times throughout the Scriptures His anger and the consequence to those who aroused it is recorded. Frightening, even terrifying accounts. An angry God is an awesome image, one of the earliest instances of which is found in Exodus 15:7 with Moses recounting Gord's wrath against the Egyptians And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. These days, it isn't vogue to speak of wrath. The explanation provided for such timidity is that we might frighten a potential convert away. Let us accept the proposition without stopping to critically examine its merits. Regardless of the timidity, His wrath is there and somewhere in our Christian lives, we must take into account that stark reality.

God detests sin. We are told in Romans 8:7 that it is enmity against God. He hates and loathes it. It is rancorous to Him. It is abhorrent. The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia tells us "The divine wrath is to be regarded as the natural expression of the divine nature, which is absolute holiness, manifesting itself against the willful, high-handed, deliberate, inexcusable sin and iniquity of mankind." Now, unless we are among those believing they do not sin or do it so innocuously, so infrequently as not to offend, we need to be as fully aware of His wrath as we are of His love. What arouses His anger are those who put themselves in opposition to His divine plan - we who sin.

Opinions to the contrary, a sinless condition is humanly impossible. The belief of some that they sin only on rare occasions is just as faulty as believing we don't sin on a frequent, regular, daily basis. 1 John 1:8 records If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Herbert Lockyer notes, "A person who claims he is so sanctified that he cannot sin, actually sins by such an assertion." (All the Doctrines of the Bible, p. 218) Lords Day 2 of the Heidelberg Catechism tells us that we have an irresistible natural tendency to hate God and our neighbors. Accordingly, we are constantly rousing Him to anger.

"Conversion," "being saved," "being born again," whatever the phrase does not imply our sinning has stopped and perfection achieved. It means His wrath against us has been blocked forevermore. Nevertheless, we who are saved are as much in need of His continuing mercy as the greatest sinner who ever lived because we continue the oppose His eternal plan. Only because of His deep and abiding love for those who receive the gift of his son, is that mercy continuously provided. The slave is bought out of bondage, but washing away the filth of his captivity is a lifelong process. If this were not the case, sanctification, the process of "hallowing of the Christian believer," freeing him from sin, enabling him to comprehend God's will for his life, would be instantaneous. Even after being called to salvation, it is not by our will that the "hallowing" takes place. Instead, it is through the urging, power and direction of the Holy Spirit. It is the spring of redemption, not the bucket. It is the river of mercy rather than a puddle. It is His power, not our will. Notice, as with our salvation, it is not our action but His loving mercy. Our arrogance would say, "by my will I shall no longer sin." Our humility should say how foolish an idea. So much more should be the appreciation for the glory of His love for us.

The awareness, the recognition, perhaps the confession of our constant state of fouling His righteousness with the stench of our sinful lives and our complete inability to change should fill us with unfathomable gratitude to the Master of all. We have not achieved perfection, nor will we in this earthly life. Nevertheless, the day He calls us to accept Jesus, He ordains to regard us as though we were perfect. To be unaware of this simple truth is to miss the fullness of His majesty and the magnitude of the gift He gave on Calvary. We view the drops of Jesus' blood once shed. Perhaps we should see it more as a deluge of His continual bleeding for us. God's wrath is stayed. His love is tender. We deserve the wrath we are not worthy of His love. The one we deserve is withheld the one we do not is freely and abundantly given.

Words cannot capture; human intelligence is incapable of fathoming His forgiving spirit. Yet to deny or even contemplate His perfect completion is to deny the fullness of the joy of worshipping Him. God detests the sin that is our basic nature against which none of us is immune and against which none of us has been inoculated. That is His nature that is our condition. Yet for those called before His throne of grace He has chosen to blind Himself to our evil ways. To know of His wrath is to wonder at His love.

The Book of Lamentations is a book of grieving. It is a requiem for the destruction of the city of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Chapter 3, verses 22 and 23 are the basis for that beautiful hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." It is appropriate to consider a lament for our church and our time. "What could be worse," someone recently asked, "than to put man in the twenty-first century and leave him there?" We no longer want to look into the face of an angry God, we pretend that does not exist. Maybe there is a connection between no longer fearing God and the condition of our personal lives, the church and the century. The church has produced generations demanding to be served rather than to serve. We expect rather than sacrifice. Surely God is not pleased. Yet that very hymn points to the tender loving mercies of our God and our Father: "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!" And, it goes on, "Morning by morning new mercies I see." Amen. In Adam Clarke's Commentary for Lamentations 3:23 we read, "Who could exist throughout the day, if there were not a continual superintending Providence?"

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Lamentations 3:22-24 KJV

Back to the page directory

Home Page Feature Articles  Second Front Page Other Articles Theology Articles

He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
John 14:9

Back to the page directory

Back to the page directory

Home Page Feature Articles  Second Front Page Other Articles Theology Articles

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment Matthew 12:36

Perhaps some contemporary/modern Christians find the suggestion that God has a rating scale of conduct or that He actually judges us offensive. Yet He has and He does. The harsh words are Jesus’ quoted in Matthew, not from the Old Testament where we tend to attribute such harshness. Surprisingly, judgment is spoken of 74 times in the King James New Testament. In the old days (although not so long ago on the clock of eternity) Christians would have scoffed at the idea He did not judge. They probably would have considered the idea of His being non-judgmental a heresy. Today’s preachers, influenced by marketing strategies and with one eye on the church budget and the other on gaining new members, tend to downplay Judgment lest they offend someone. Yet Christians retain an interesting, if distorted, rating scale they apply to themselves and others. Where it comes from is probably the vacuum created by the "non-offensive" pabulum being spewed from contemporary pulpits.

Recently a group of Christians was asked to think about people’s lives and how God would rate them. They put "Mother" Theresa near the top of a ten point scale giving her a 9.5 or even a perfect 10 and Hitler was ranked off the bottom of the scale. They were, with varying degrees, a little harsh on themselves with grades ranging around the middle point with a few down around 3 and about the same up around 8. When they were asked to consider how He would rate people’s lives that had accepted Jesus, surprisingly the answers were exceptionally similar. Some names mentioned such as Billy Graham were 10’s and others like Benny Hinn (Poor Benny, such a whipping boy.) were very low. None of the group realized the fallacy in their theology until it was pointed out.

If it were not for the shielding influence of Christ’s blood everyone, yes Mother Theresa and Adolph Hitler would achieve a "perfect" zero in God’s eyes! With Christ’s intervention, all Christians are perfectly perfect in God’s eyes. Praise Him! Even within Christian communities that believe salvation is a GIFT of Grace, regardless how often they may chant it in catechism or song, they still want to attach an unacceptable interpretation of and significance to "works." The deathbed confession of faith is just as much an assurance of salvation as a lifetime of Christian service.

How is it then that Jesus’ speaks of giving an account for every idle word in the day of judgement? What is meant by, And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27)? What did John see, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12)? Who is being judged? Judged on what record? Works? What works?

So here we find ourselves in a situation in which we are saved by grace but judged by our works –so little as our idle words. According to some (Adam Clarke’s Commentary) "works would be the proof whether their (our) faith were true or false." On the other hand, Barnes’ Notes seems to lean toward an interpretation that works have nothing to do with the certainty of salvation but rather "the amount of reward would be in proportion to the service rendered to the Redeemer, and the attainments made in piety." Quite a divergence of opinion responsible for many schisms within the community of believers.

Regardless of the differences, there is consensus on two major points. First, there will be a judgment involving all humanity. Second, works do count. No one doubts the absolute factual basis of either. It is also abundantly clear that there is a relationship between judgment and works, specifically that one’s works will be that which is to be judged. But having come to this consensus does not give us license to start building our repertoire of good deeds in preparation of judgment because all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13. It’s His scale and He knows what’s in our hearts.

I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Back to the page directory

A Relational or An Organization God?
Back to the page directory
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

Some scholars tell us that we are in the "dispensation of the church age." According to some of these authorities, there are seven Biblical dispensations: "First, let us look at the many dispensations throughout time. There are 7 dispensations that we can find in the Bible. They are as follows: 1. Innocence 2. Conscience 3. Human Government4. Promise 5. Law 6. Grace 7. Kingdom." The "dispensation of the church" falls under the 6^th, the "Dispensation of Grace." Of course, when we are dealing with "scholars, we have come to expect differing opinions. Another classification produces eight Scripturally dispensations: Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law, Grace, Kingdom of Christ, New Beginning. And another with some not so slight differences in emphasis: The dispensation of innocence in paradise. The dispensation of the conscience after the Fall. The dispensation of the law in the Old Testament. The dispensation of grace in the church age. The dispensation of the Antichrist. The dispensation of the millennial kingdom. The dispensation of perfection in eternity. As one source declares, "The word ‘dispensation’ is found in the KJV and NKJV translations of the Bible (I Corinthians. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2; Col. 1:25." While it is there, a tremendous stretch of the imagination is required to translate these writings of Paul into a defense of the concept. As noted by these authors, others translate the Greek as "stewardship. Aren’t we glad God is not the author of confusion? Aren’t we glad as recorded in Samuel 15:29, And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. 1 Samuel 15:29

But, this isn’t about the pros and cons of dispensationalism, it is about God’ constancy and how He considers us. Dispensationalists use their ideas of periods in God’s treatment of us to explain such things as the absence of blood sacrifices, prophecy, speaking in tongues and healing in today’s "church." There is no longer a need for such things so He has done away with them. In the same way, they claim He has moved away from treating us "legalistically" to dealing with us through the "church."

Is it true? Is it true that He moved away from the personal relationship He had with Adam and Eve? Wasn’t His original intent to be a deeply personal relationship with His children? Is there any more haunting phrase, any more glimpse into what might have been than that provided in Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day? That was in the beginning – and at the end of days, and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4.

As a matter of fact, where – in Scripture – has that relational desire of His ever ceased to be expressed?  Did Jesus come to usher in a new age? Was the mission of The Christ to organize the Christian religion? What, only according to Him, is the greatest of all Commandments, and then, and then? Does that sound like ritualistic baptism, communion and missionary work? Dr. Bruce Larson provides a different interpretation to Ananias and Sapphira than the common interpretation used to intimidate people into supporting some one else’s idea of ministry.

Who is this "we" that Dr. Blue writes is to "feed the flock," "edify the Saints and preach the Word" if it is not an ordained "pastorate?" Many years ago, Martin Buber suggested that there were two basic types of human relationships: "I - Thou" and "I - It." One is a loving relationship; the other is a using relationship. Is God using us (I-It) or does He love us (I-Thou)? The church of the "WE" envisioned, defended and practiced by so many "ministers of the Word" most closely resembles a congregation of "ITS" being managed by a "ME." Is that what God intended? Is that what Jesus practiced? Is that His legacy? Through the teachings of the "church of the WE," how often do we regard God as a great big IT with no other function than to meet our demands, quiet our fears and protect us from our enemies? "God," after all, "is on our side!" The ultimate wife.

Back to the page directory
 

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:
for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom,
O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11
Return to the page directory

Can we get too "cozy" with God, too familiar with Him. At one time Christians were taught to "fear" God, to approach Him with caution and discretion, to approach Him with prudence. In our "dealings" with Him we were to "keep our distance." Reverence and worship of Him as the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY was the order of the day. He was often portrayed as an angry God sitting on His Throne of Judgment. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eye (Proverbs 20:8).

But that image of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, depicting a bearded, fatherly God eventually won out. After all, how long could one sustain a Jonathan Edward’s view of "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?" After all, paul writes in Romans 8:15, 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. He repeats essentially the same message in Galatians 4:6. And, Jesus said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee (Mark 14:36). Easton's Bible Dictionary tells us that in each of the three times the word appears in the New Testament, it is meant to express "warm affection and filial confidence. The Message interprets Galations 4:6 as God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" as it does Mark 14:36. Is that going too far the other direction – too familiar?

In a variety of forms, the New Testament repeatedly tells us, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8). Who has not heard, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) We are part of the world God loves and sacrificed for. Should we need more convincing, Titus wrote, But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7) In the greatest of all Commandments Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Many verses call us the "children of God," In John 1:12 we are told, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Is it not reasonable, based on His ministry, His sacrifice and His Word that He loves us as well? Unless we mistrust the words of Jesus, we well should call Him ABBA!

"What’s in a name" Shakespeare asked and as with roses, in this instance it may be the same. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary gives us this meaning of sovereignty, a: supreme power especially over a body politic b: freedom from external control: AUTONOMY c: controlling influence. There is probably no pressing reason why we shouldn’t refer to Him as "Papa" as long as we remember He is sovereign. Actually, He seemed to prefer "I AM," for all that matters. To date, He has given no opinion on the paintings of Him in the Sistine Chapel. But when the name does matter is when familiarity breed contempt. Should we forget "Papa" is the "supreme and independent power and authority over all," we might just be a little too close to see the Monarch. The phrase, "over all," should be rather important for us to remember. Consider this, Horatius Bonar said in a sermon titled "Do You Rejoice In God's Sovereignty?" "If I shrink from so unlimited control and guidance, it is plain that I dislike the idea of being wholly at the disposal of God." Bonar was referring to the fact that "the minutest movement of my will is regulated by the will of God." Otherwise, don’t you see, He is not sovereign. "Oh" you reply, "you, him, her, them, just not me. I’m my own person. I have freely chosen to follow Him. "THIS, therefore, is also essentially necessary and wholesome for Christians to know: That God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that He foresees, purposes, and does all things according to His immutable, eternal, and infallible will." (Martin Luther, Bondage of the Will) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:13. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy Romans 9:16-16. T is for "Total Depravity."

Back to the page directory