How often do you really think about this great truth, “God Is our Father?” Of course, this is only true if you have obeyed the gospel of Christ! For Paul wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). But why is this true? Why is “the gospel of Christ” God’s power unto salvation? Paul reveals this great truth, as he answers our question, as he continued with these words: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (verse 17). The little word “for” is so important here, it is the Greek, “gar” and is one of my favorite Greek words. It is so important but is so often just read over! Nevertheless, as we make an effort to understand the truth. Here is what Strong writes about this little Greek word: “A primary particle; properly assigning a reason.” With this little Greek word, Paul gives us the reason for the power in verse sixteen, “the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.” The “reason” is, “therein is the righteousness of God” revealed. You will never know the “righteousness of God,” until you know “the gospel of Christ!”
The supreme being is our Father; therefore, we pray, “Father, Father, have mercy on my soul!” I hope you understand that we all need mercy from God, our Father. If not, we have no real hope of eternal life with God. Humbleness and honesty are necessary if we are to have any real understanding of God’s righteousness! The “gospel of Christ” is the means that God uses to reveal his “righteousness” by which we have the means of salvation! Just stop for a moment; and think of God. His desire is that all mankind be saved; as Paul wrote: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). If you are lost, having never known God’s righteousness, you have never known the will of God! Speaking of who is responsible for one being lost, it is against the will of God! God has in fact, given unto us, all things that will make us acceptable to him. The apostle Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Not only is the word of God: 1) “profitable for doctrine,” 2) “for reproof,” 3) “for correction,” but also 4) “for instruction in righteousness.” Why are these four things so important? Let Paul answer our the question as he continued: “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (verse 17). The “that” word at the beginning of this verse, is the Greek “hina” and means: “in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)’ (Strong). So why the words of verse sixteen? It is “in order that, denoting the purpose!” Now this question, In order “that” what? Paul wrote, “the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Not one little thing is missing, in making man “perfect, thoroughly furnished.” The word “perfect” is the Greek “artios” and means: “complete.” Then, there are the words “thoroughly furnished,” which is the Greek “exartizo” and means “to equip fully” and to “accomplish.” In other words, not one thing is missing in the word of God, not one thing is lacking, but all things that man needs to be “complete,” in what God requires for man to be acceptable, prepared for heaven!
Thus, God our loving Father in his perfection, in his love, has given to us every little and every big thing, that is necessary for preparation for Heaven. We may have loving fathers on earth, but in their weaknesses are not able to do what God our loving Father, can and has given to us! The best-known verse in the Bible reveals this love. Let us notice the verse that never gets any attention: “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15). The pronoun “him” in this verse refers to Jesus Christ; therefore, the one we are to “believeth in” is the Son of God. With this in mind, notice verse sixteen: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I would be amiss, if I did not call your attention to my little favorite Greek word, “gar” which is here translated “for,” and remember, this word expresses “reason.” The “reason” God “gave his only begotten Son” was for the express purpose that man may be saved and not lost! The Greek word “gar” also means, “no doubt,” in that there is “no doubt” in the purpose of God in giving his Son that we may, in fact, have eternal life. There is our loving God, our Father!
It is hoped, that after reading this article, that your understanding may grow and increase in our hearts our love for God! When we love God our Father, we will also desire to grow spiritually, in order to please him! In doing so, we will be preparing ourselves for heaven. We will also be a better example for those who know us!
Frank R. Williams