Experiencing The Father’s Love

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone onearth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in Heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among ou shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and who he humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.”

Matthew 23:1-14

The Pharisees had the law of God but they didn’t have the heart of God. They had the looks, and the outward appearance but inside they were full of everything unclean. Their problem was on the inside.

According to Jesus, there is only One Father, and that is He who is in Heaven. You may say you know Jesus as your Lord and the Holy Spirit as your Comforter, but do you know God as your Heavenly Father?

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:10, He told them to call God ‘our Father in Heaven.’ A father is a person who is in relationship with His children. The father is the founder of the family.

A Hole In The Heart

There are many people who grow up with a hole in their heart because their earthly father wasn’t there for them. One of the reasons Jesus did so well on earth was because He and His Father were one. Jesus said He only did what He saw His Father do.

Jesus mission was not only to die for the sins of the world but also to reveal God the Father to mankind. Without this vital revelation, mankind can only become like the Pharisees, having the law of God but not having the heart of God.

You Don’t Have To Work For God’s Approval

Jesus did not have an identity crisis; He did not have to work for God’s approval. He knew He already had God the Father’s approval (Matthew 3:17). Jesus received the love of the Father. The Father established, secured, and rooted Jesus in His love.

We can only give what we have. The Pharisees had the law of God but not the love of God, so they gave what they had. If we don’t receive the Father’s love, we will be working for His approval and love, instead of working from His approval. When you work and live from God’s approval, you won’t be moved by the applause of man, money, or material. Popularity will not push you around.

The Love of God

God the Father has love for you that can heal all your brokenness, insecurity and remove rejection. God’s love is a love that will establish, restore and make you whole. In the love of God, you have a secure identity. This is why the Bible commends us to be rooted and grounded in the love of God. It does not say be rooted and grounded in your works, prayer or fasting – even though they are important.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

1 John 4:18

There was a very interesting moment when Jesus’ disciples were contending for who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God. However, there was a disciple that wrote of himself not that he was the best or the greatest but that he was the disciple Jesus loved. John had the greatest revelation of the love of God. He was the disciple who was entrusted to take care of Mary the mother of Jesus. John was the only disciple who stood near Jesus at the cross. I encourage you to live your life in such a way that you can be the disciple that Jesus loves! Have that mindset that no matter what others are pursing, I am going to be the disciple that Jesus loves.

Hindrances To Receiving The Father’s Love

One of the hindrances to receiving the love of God the Father is being scarred by earthly father figures. We often end up develop coping mechanisms for things we were never meant to bear. These types of behavior are a result of a wounded heart. If not dealt with, we can quickly become cold, emotionless, insure, fearful and depressed. We often fall victims of the lie that we need to do something or become something so that we can be loved. The simple truth is there is a hole in your heart that you are trying to fix with works that can only be filled by God.

The key to your healing is first to receive the Father’s love. You cannot give what you don’t have. If you are not healed, you cannot have a healthy relationship, workplace, or family. Suppressing the pain does not lead to healing. Hoping the pain goes away is not the solution but opening yourself up to the love of the Father through Jesus Christ. God loves you and sent His Son to die for your sins and bring you back to Him. He doesn’t expect you to be healed before you come to Him. He expects you to come to Him so He can heal you and make you whole.

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