Can I Really Know God As Father?
Her comments came in response to one of my most popular post, Why I Made the Father Swap. After making my case for God as father she culminated her counter argument with the following statement.
“. . . While I rejoice in your love for Jesus Christ, that relationship is not the same as a relationship with your father…as it would not be the same as a relationship with your mother. Christ can never take the place of a real father in a child’s life . . .”
According to the Bible, she was right. God is a triune being consisting of God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each division of the Godhead serves a different role. It is not Jesus Christ who fulfills the role of father in the life of a believer, but God the father.
“. . . the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NIV)
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! . . .” 1 John 3: 1
“A father to the fatherless . . . is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalms 68:5
There are several verses in scripture that substantiate God the Father’s role. For this reason I agree with the reader because Christ is not our heavenly father but God the Father is. Despite this truth, many people believe God is unable to be a “real father” in the lives of those who were not fathered by an earthly dad.
It simply doesn’t make sense for an infinite God to commune with a finite and flawed individual, but it doesn’t have to make sense to be true. I get it. Neither you nor I have to believe it in order for it to be so; it is so.
From my vantage point there is a lot at stake if God can not be a father to all mankind; it is the equivalent of taking hope from the world. If we embrace this perspective many men and women would be doomed: handcuffed to their daddy aches for a lifetime.
Oh, you never knew your dad?
That’s unfortunate.
Your father died when you were just a kid?
Suck it up.
You never knew the love of your biological father?
Get over it.
I know that sounds harsh but essentially that is what people are left with if the idea of knowing God as father is just a fantasy. Left to fend for themselves people may look to heal their daddy wounds with insatiable success, unsatisfying relationships, and overwhelming addictions. The good news is there is hope.
Were you abused by your father?
You can know healing.
Have you been rejected by your daddy?
You can find acceptance.
Are you unknown by the man you love the most?
You can be known by God.
He is. . .
Counselor,
Giver,
Provider,
Healer,
Friend,
& Father.
He is God.
So here is my counter to the reader’s comment. To say that God takes the place of a “real father” in a person’s life is too small of a description. God cannot be limited by our comprehension of the word father. He supersedes every connotation.
Even if we grew up with a wonderful dad, God remains undeniably the perfect father. He is unmatched in his love towards us. For every daughter desperately longing to know if she will ever experience the love of a father, God, the ultimate father, responds yes!
He is capable of fathering mankind. It seems crazy, impossible, and unlikely, but It is true.
We must trust in HIM and not the voice of reason. Reason communicates the same thing every time, “ This is impossible.” The truth is, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
Ask God to change your perspective of what knowing Him as father should look like. Believe against all doubt that you can be known and loved by an omniscient God. Pursue a relationship with God by reading His word, and spending time with Him in prayer. In time, I believe, you will come to know Him as father.
Great post, Kia! … GOD is the perfect FATHER! I pray that more people would allow their hearts to embrace the beauty and power of that truth. Thanks so much for sharing! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Tai, I echo the words of your prayer. There is so much power and beauty in knowing an omniscient God as Heavenly Father. Thank you for joining the conversation today and be blessed! – Kia
As a woman with an earthly Father who refuses to speak to her and has told her in the past he doesn’t love her, it is such a comfort to have a Heavenly Father who sings over me and lavishes His love on me.
Rose @ Walnut Acre recently posted…Reason and Faith, and A Wonderful Day
Wow Rose, truly my heart aches over what you are currently experiencing from you biological father. I just want to reaffirm what you already know. You are so lavishly LOVED by God! He sees you and He also weeps at the pain you have endured and continue to endure at the hands of your father. Know that you are pursued, wanted, accepted, loved, valued, and doted on by God. I am praying for you. Thank you for your vulnerability and willingness to share. Be blessed! – Kia
This is wonderfully written and I know this to be true. I am lucky enough to have a good relationship with my earthly father but I am also so grateful to have a relationship with my Heavenly Father as well. I would be lost without God. There is also a lot I can do to improve my relationships with both my fathers and this adds to my motivation to do so.
Madison Adams recently posted…Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent
Madison, I am thankful that you grew up with a great relationship with your earthly father. In this day and age that is such a blessing because many women did not experience that in their formative years. Your perspective on improving your relationship with both fathers is a stance I believe God desires for us all to have. Thank you for your words and be blessed! – Kia
GOD IS__________________ whatever you need Him to be in your life. Yes He is omnipotent and invisible yet, available 24/7, for me and all who believe. Now it is your move; try Him and see!.
Yes He is! Be blessed. – Kia
Our heavenly father is perfect! We are so fortunate to have Him – the truest and best daddy there is.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…Fabulous Gift Ideas Bloggers Will Love
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, God is the perfect father. I love how you said truest because God is truth. Glad you joined the conversation today and be blessed! – Kia
My favorite line is, “He supersedes every connotation.” Way to go sister blogger !!
Tammy recently posted…A Thank You to my Blogging Sisters
Thank you Tammy for your encouragement! God truly does supersede every connotation of the word Father. Be blessed! – Kia
This is encouraging for me. My husband lives in Mexico while we live in the United States and it makes me sad he can’t be with them more often. Thank you.
Hi Cynthia, this situation must be incredibly difficult for your children. While this is not an ideal situation I pray your children will know the incredible comfort that comes from a relationship with God as heavenly father. Although, your husband is in another country, they can know the peace that comes from a relationship with God. Thank you for sharing and being transparent. Be blessed! – Kia