A Father’s Love
By Brian Thompson
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (I John 3:1)
The apostle John is referred to as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13;23; 19:26; 21:24). This is not to say that Jesus did not love the other disciples but there seemed to be some extra connection between Jesus and John. Jesus entrusted His mother to his care (John 19:26) when He was dying on the cross.
When writing to the early church John refers to them as “beloved’ six times in just five chapters of I John (I John 2:7; 3:2, 21; 4:1, 7, 11). The apostle Paul and Peter also used the same phrase frequently in their letters to the early church (Romans 1:7; 12:19; I Corinthians 15:58; I Peter 2:11; 4:12; II Peter 3:17). The elders and the apostles in Jerusalem felt the same way about Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:25). Even God uses the phrase “beloved” when referring to His own Son (Matthew 17:5).
Anyone who is a child of God is beloved of God. They have tasted of the love that God has for them as His children. There is no love on earth that equals the love God has for His children. That’s why, in the scripture above, John states, “See how great a love it is to be called God’s son or daughter!!”
Some of you may never have enjoyed a father’s love in your life. But you can!! You can become a child of the Father who dwells in heaven. His love is waiting to be showered upon you when you, in faith, obey the call of His gospel (II Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 1:5: 16:25-26; Acts 2:38). Every person who is born again through baptism is a child of God and beloved of Him (John 3:1-21; 35-36).
If I can help you in any way to become a child of God please feel free to contact me through the church’s website. Happy Father’s Day!!