In his classic book, Knowing God, J.I. Packer writes, “What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father.”[1]
Of all the benefits of the gospel offers, none is higher than this truth of the Fatherhood of God. That sounds like an overstatement, but even though justification sets us right with God, it’s the Fatherhood of God that brings us into the family. As Packer says, “To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is greater.” [2]
This privilege is not for just anyone. The Apostle John opened his gospel by saying, “To all who did receive [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12-13). Only those who’ve accepted Jesus can claim to be God’s children. And only those to whom God has come can accept Jesus. So it’s a gift of God that makes us children of God. The Bible’s word for this new reality is adoption.
Adoption does not—certainly, should not—label one as “less-than.” It describes the way we come into the family, not who we are in the family. As Russell Moore says, “There is no such thing in God’s economy as an ‘adopted child,’ only a child who was adopted into the family.”[3]
What kind of Father is God?
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus tells a parable that we know as The Parable of the Prodigal Son, but perhaps it could also be called The Parable of the Father’s Love.
Both sons in the parable orphaned themselves. They didn’t see how good their father was. This is not an uncommon occurrence. So many of our problems result from forgetting that we are children of God. Pastor Jack Miller put together a chart to help us diagnose ourselves. (I can’t remember where I first saw this. Sorry!)
The Orphan
· Feels alone.
· Lacks a vital daily intimacy with God.
· Is full of self-concern.
· Is anxious over felt needs: relationships, money, health. “I’m all alone and nobody cares.”
· Lives on a succeed/fail basis.
· Needs to “look good” and “be right.”
· Is Performance-oriented.
· Feels condemned, guilty, and unworthy before God and others.
· Has little faith, lots of fear, lots of faith in himself: “I’ve got to fix it.”
The Child
· Has a growing assurance that “God is really my loving heavenly Father.”
· Trusts the Father and has a growing confidence in his loving care.
· Is being freed up from worry.
· Learns to live in daily, conscious partnership with God.
· Is not fearful.
· Feels loved, forgiven, and totally accepted because Christ’s merit really clothes him.
· Has a daily working trust in God’s sovereign plan for their life as loving, wise, and best.
· Believes God is good.
Which view resonates most with you? For my part, I’m still growing in my self understanding from orphan to child.
Miller’s list helps me ask the all-important question. What kind of Father is God? He’s the kind of father who runs to meet his wayward children who squandered it all. He’s the kind of father who comes to the self-righteous child who refuses to celebrate. He’s the kind of father we all need, no matter what our personal story. And when he brings us into the family, we no longer need to live like an orphan. Our kind and gentle Father is there for us. He’s always there.
The overwhelming biblical evidence is that, if you’re in Christ, God relates to you as a father to a child. You’re not an orphan! Jesus knew this would be a hard truth to accept, so on his way to the cross, he made a promise: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18).
Today, why not just rest in the arms of your Father who loves you? What father wouldn’t just love for their child to do that?
[1] J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 200-201.
[2] J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 200-201.
[3] https://www.russellmoore.com/2020/09/23/adoption-and-the-integrity-of-the-family/
What a wonderful truth. Thank you David!!