God Is Both Our Father and Our Dad: Respectful Intimacy

Matthew 6:9-14; Luke 11:2-4; Galatians 4:1-7 and Romans 8:14-17

Our relationship with God our Savior and Lord is illustrated in the N.T. with the deepest, most loving relationship possible in this life: Parent to child. When this relationship is good it provides, world wide, the greatest example of love, joy, but when the parents are bad or evil, it becomes repulsive and shocking to all good parents everywhere. God manifested His love for us by sending His Son to atone for our sins, while we were yet sinners. We become adopted children, precious in His sight. He asks us to refer to Him primarily not as oh Powerful God, but as “Father” (Matthew 6:9) and even “Dad or Daddy” in Luke 11:2 (See also Galatians 4:6, “Abba Father” Romans 8:14-17)

And even when scripture tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; it is referring to awe and respect for our creator parent and sustainer not to be scared of Him. Both renditions of the Lord’s prayer reminds us to develop a respectful intimacy with God our Father and our dad, daddy (“Abba”). The aspects of God, parenthood can be summarized by the following points:

1. Respect “Our Father”
   1. Matthew 6:9-10. Remember the danger of over familiarity especially in relationship to heavenly Father.
   2. Intimacy (love) Father! Luke 11:2
      1. see also Galatians 4:1-7 and Romans 8:14-17; verse 17 “Abba”
   3. Adopted Children; In ancient societies, Roman and Jewish was very important and precious; See Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:14-16
   4. As our Divine Parent He is delighted to provide for us
      1. Note the second part of the Lord’s prayer in both Matthew 6:11-13 and Luke 11:3-4; Note these provisions come after worship and respect for our all powerful and loving parents.
   5. The primary things He wants us to develop;  “the chip off the old block.” Develop HIs character. The fruit of the Spirit, especially, forgiveness (Matthew 6:13-15; Luke 11:4; Galatians 5:22-26)