I’ve been thinking a lot on how our relationships with our earthly fathers, men or women, and spirits can have an influence on how we relate to the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Some have had abusive or absent fathers, some have been mistreated by men or women, and some have dabbled in the demonic realm or even all three.
I’ve titled this post The One because the LORD JEHOVAH our God, LORD JEHOVAH is one. Jesus said, “I and My Father, We are One.” The Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters and God said, “Let US make men in Our image.” Jesus was fully God and fully Man. There is no separation between Them. It’s important that you know He won’t hurt you. Ever. He is safe and kind, gentle and compassionate. He is firm and funny and ever present. How do I know this? First and foremost, I know Him personally and I spend a lot of time with Him. Also, the Scriptures witness to The One’s character in Jesus Christ. He is the exact representation of Abba’s nature!
Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works themselves.”
I looked through the Scriptures to look at how Jesus related to those around Him. He fed people who were hungry, both spiritually and physically. He healed people and hung out with them. He didn’t tell folks to stay away from the man with a legion of demons. He went up to him and set him free. He didn’t throw a stone at the woman caught in adultery and He didn’t rebuke them and name their sins, but asked them to cast the stone if any were without sin. Peter whacked off the right ear of the servant of The High Priest; Jesus put it back on. Peter promised to never deny Jesus, yet did three times; Jesus turned and gazed at him. Thomas didn’t believe Jesus was resurrected until he saw Him; Jesus told him to feel the wounds. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, and Jesus loved him anyway, knowing what was coming. He betrayed The Son of Man with a kiss. The kiss was used to show honor and respect. Jesus looked at Judas and said, “Have you come to this My friend?” His brothers scoffed at Him and rejected Him, His disciples deserted Him once He was seized. Religious teachers of law, leading priests, and other leaders of the people were planning how to kill Him. We ignore Him. And yet, He loves. He loves you forever and always and no matter what.
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
I know His personal kindness and His kindness expressed through His sons and daughters towards me led me to not be afraid of Him in my disobedience, but to turn to Him and to seek Him with all my heart, mind and strength. Some Pharisees did, too! In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas were telling with great joy how even Gentiles were converting and some Pharisees who had believed said they need to be circumcised. It caused a ruckus and the apostles and elders came together to look into the matter. Peter stood and asked why they were trying to put a yoke on new believers and that we are all saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus! After that, they were silent and didn’t try to put yokes on anyone. Jesus doesn’t put yokes on us.
“Come to Me, ALL who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”
He has given us a Helper, the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in Jesus’ name to teach us all things and to help us know Him and how to walk in freedom, the freedom Jesus died to give us. Allow Him to take you to the dark places in your heart that keep you from walking in total freedom in Christ. He will never let you down, ever.
Look at Jesus and you’ll see the Father.
And Jesus is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of the Father’s nature! The One is safe.
“And it will come about in that day,” declares the LORD, “That you will call Me Ishi (My Husband) and will no longer call Me Baali. And I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.”
Abba, may we see You as our safe place and continually seek you out in all matters. Help us to enter the dark places that You show us, Spirit, and free us from anything that keeps us from walking in the total freedom you gave us, Jesus. We trust You and we know You would never hurt us or leave us. Thank You for Your total and all encompassing love. We praise you forevermore. Amen and so be it.