Can We Call GOD “Father”?
• God is a HEALER (Exodus 15:26, Genesis 20:17, Deuteronomy 32:39, 2 Kings 20:5, Job 5:18, Psalms 30:2, Psalms 103:2-3, Psalms 147:3).
• God is a PROVIDER (Genesis 22:14, Deuteronomy 11:15, Psalms 68:10, Psalms 111:5, Psalms 147:9, Isaiah 43:20, Jeremiah 33:9, Acts 14:17).
• God is a SHEPHERD (Psalms 23:1, Psalms 80:1, Ezekiel 34:16, Matthew 2:6, John 10:11, 14, Hebrews 13:20).
• God is a PEACE GIVER (John 14:27, Judges 6:24, Psalms 29:11, Psalms 85:8, Psalms 119:165, Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 32:17, Isaiah 54:10, 13, Isaiah 57:2, Philippians 4:7, 9).
• God is a MASTER (Exodus 4:10, 13)
• God is a FRIEND (2 Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8, Luke 5:20, John 15:13-14, James 2:23).
• God is a TEACHER (Job 36:22, Matthew 8:19, Matthew 9:11, Matthew 19:16, Matthew 22:16, Matthew 23:10, Matthew 26:18).
Aside from the ones listed above, there are many other names used in the Bible to describe God and His relationship with the people who revere Him. Among His many names, my number 1 is “FATHER”. We have to understand that not everyone is a child of God. We are all created by God but not all of us are children of God. It says in the Bible that only those who receive Him and believe in His name are given the right to become HIS CHILDREN.
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13 ESV
As part of God’s spiritual family, we can enjoy the rights and privileges that being His child entails. We can come to God boldly because we are His adopted sons and daughters. We even become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ! 🙂
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17 NIV
“So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:7 NIV
What an honor and a privilege it is to call God, the creator of the universe, MY Father—MY ABBA, FATHER. It’s so gracious and loving and sweet of God to allow me to call Him that. There is peace, comfort, joy, and security in knowing that I have a heavenly Father who knows everything about me—my flaws and all—and loves me still.
“…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16 NIV
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’.” Galatians 4:6 NIV
Jesus encourages us to address God as our Father when we pray. He taught His disciples to pray and call on God as our Father in heaven.
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…’” Matthew 6:9 NIV
There are many other verses in the Bible pertaining to God as our Father. It’s overwhelming to know that having an intimate Father-and-child relationship with Him is possible. ❤️
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God…” 1 John 3:1-2a NIV
