The Greater Father
I was reading the last edition of Modern Reformation, and I was struck by an article entitled "The Promise Driven Family." It struck a chord in me, because it talked about how many children tend to replicate the actions of their earthly fathers. If your father was absent emotionally, abusive, etc. it showed through in the parenting characteristics of their children. The article was thought provoking, because it talked about how we can become free of this pattern if we turn our attention to our Heavenly Father and look to Him for the model of how to be a father.
I am reading Bruce Ware's work: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance; and it too talked about how the Father is viewed in trinitarian language.
"[L]et's relearn the paradigm of what 'father' is from the Father in heaven. While this may involve a very long and difficult process, it is the only way to make true and genuine progress spiritually, since God has named Himself as our Father, and this name is meant to convey rich and glorious spiritual benefit to us, his children."
Bruce Ware, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, & Relevance (pg. 62)
This is not meant to be a self-help essay, but it has been important to me to reclaim my understanding of what a "father" is from my heavenly Father as Bruce Ware so aptly states. I think of the attributes ascribed to the Father: authority, leadership, faithfulness, and loving. What wonderful attributes to immerse in our own understanding of what the role the father has in an earthly relationship.
I also love to unfold more of the character of the Father-Son relationship between the Father and Christ. The deep love that Christ had for His Father is something to marvel at. Also, He was constantly engaged in the pursuit of glorifying His Father, and the Sermon on the Mount is a great exposition on Christ's love and obedience to His Father, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt 5:16). The Father loves His Son for His great measure of obedience (John 10:17).
It is amazing to think that the Father has predestined (yes, predestined) us for adoption as sons (Eph 1:5). That is amazing! Like an adopted child, we are not natural to the Father; but yet He loves us in spite of us. It is encouraging to meditate upon how I do have a good example to follow in the role of a father.
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
Luke 6:36
Jan 8th 2006 
One Comment 
Jan 13th 2006
Chris, I just wanted to introduce myself...I'm Anna, a college student from New Jersey, and I came across your blog a few months ago in a sort of funny way when I typed the words "marry an arminian" into Google (I'm a Calvinist dating a United Methodist, and my family is continually warning me about the dangers of getting too involved with a Wesleyan) and rather providentially, I thought, your post "would I marry an arminian?" came up.
I've been reading your posts pretty regularly since then, and I wanted to tell you what a blessing posts like this one ("the Greater Father") have been to me. What a beautiful reminder of the love of the Father to his Son and to his adopted children who were once his enemies! It is a truly amazing thought. Praise God for being the perfect Father and for his gracious love toward us!
so thanks, Chris. God bless! :)