God the Father

Exodus 4:22-23, Galatians 4:5-7, Hebrews 12: 7-11

Our definition of a good father I think has a great deal to do with our upbringing. Some of us have grown up in a home where the word father was positive or negative, absent or present, gentle or harsh. So to receive or believe that God is a Father may range depending on those experiences. Although, I have to tell you right now, God is so far beyond our earthly definitions of fatherhood. He is greater and more wonderful than the best earthly father and I believe he wants to redeem our previous examples of fatherhood. 

We first read of God our Father in Exodus 4:22-23 when he declares Israel to be His son. He has authority over Israel. Which today, translates the same to God having influence and sovereignty over us. Why? Because He claims us as His own. We have been adopted into God’s family, where he is Father (Galatians 4:5-7). Within that role of father, he takes on the characteristics of one: compassionate, gentle, teacher, protective, and wise. As a father he disciplines, helps, and provides. God has no other motive as Father but to be glorified and to love. Through His love towards us, He is glorified. He does not demand for power or authority - He already has it.