A passion for the presence of God continues to seep into every facet of my life. As a result, I’ve been filled with wonder and admiration for the awesomeness of the trinity. Seeing the existence and relationship of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit overwhelms my heart and mind. One of the truths of the trinity that has touched my heart has been a deeper revelation of my “God and Father”.

The reference to the Father God as “our God” and “our Father” is very significant.  There is a distinction in each term that is used to address our Father God. The distinction communicates different facets of our Father God’s nature and character. In Scripture, four times God the Father and God the Son are mentioned together and the distinction is made (Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3). Even Jesus Himself establishes this distinction when He speaks to Mary after His resurrection (John 20:17). Six times the phrase “our God and Father” is used (Galatians 1:4; Philippians 4:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 3:11; 3:13; James 1:27).

When God the Father is established as the one God (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6) it establishes:

• The Father God as the authority over everyone and everything in creation (1 Corinthians 11:3; 15:23-28).
• Our Heavenly Father as the Judge of all (Hebrews 12:23).
• God the Father as the creator and source “out of” which all things come into existence (1 Corinthians 8:6).
• The one focus of all our worship (1 Corinthians 8:1-6).

The term “Father” emphasizes the importance of relationship with our God (Ephesians 3:17; Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:6-7). In John 20:17 the resurrected Jesus uses the term “Father” when He lovingly gives Mary instructions to go to His disciples and give them a message. The message Mary delivers was a declaration of family relationship. In that one verse, three times Jesus refers to God as Father, in relationship to Himself and the disciples.

In the context of calling God as Father, He also calls the disciples, “brother.” Father is used to establish God’s care and concern for us (Matthew 6:8; 6:30-32).

Knowing God as our Father is also:

• The doorway for revelation and understanding (John 15:15; 16:13-16).
• The key for perfect love that casts out all fear to be released into hearts.
• The revelation that shows us the importance of relationships, with God and with others (1 John 5:1-2).
• The relationship that brings into balance my relationship with God.

When the first person of the trinity is called our God and Father it brings into my life a fullness of love and reverence. If I walk as a Christian with God only as God, I can easily lose compassion and love for others. When I just focus on God as God, I become judgmental and live life out of an unhealthy fear. When I only focus on the God part of God, I can become task oriented, merely wanted to get things done, maybe at the expense of those around me.

But, knowing God as Father brings revelation, love and intimacy into my life. Knowing God as Father brings meaning and love to the tasks of life.

However,  just knowing God as Father, could lead to laisse-faire, anything goes attitude. When I know my Heavenly Father as God of the entire universe, my heart holds a healthy reverence and respect for Him and His desires.

One time, as I sat in an airport waiting for my flight home, I had an in-depth discussion with a Muslim man about God and His character. The man had a deep fear and awe of God, but he could not grasp the concept that his interaction with God could also be one of love and relationship. As I shared with the man about the awesomeness of the place and relationship of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit it gave me phenomenal opportunity to speak about the love of God. The man was so moved, as we boarded our plane he came to my seat to ask me more about my God.  I pray that God uses this conversation as a seed to help this man also know Him as Father.

Do you have a balanced relationship with both “God” and “Father”?  Are there areas of your life where your choices may indicate you haven’t fully taken hold of the view of God as both “God” and “Father”?