A Perfect Dad-Learning To Love Jesus’ Father

Have you ever thought of God as YOUR Father? Do you talk to Him like you would your Daddy? Isn’t it amazing that God desires that kind of relationship with His children? Knowing God as a loving Father may not come easy to some because of our earthly relationships. But God desires for us to know Him and trust Him as our adopted Father.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Romans 8:15

Fathers Are Important In Our Life

In our early years of becoming us, the people we are around the most influence us the most. No surprise there. Fathers and mothers have a big responsibility when they take on the position of parenthood. Although we would all love to believe that we parents will do a great job and produce exemplary children, it’s not always easy.

Fatherhood is no walk in the park. The responsibility of men to be leaders, protectors, and guides in their homes takes more muscle and wisdom than most men are born with.

A father shapes a child’s emotional well-being as the child looks to the father for stability, strength, and security. Mom and Dad are both important but have different influences. For example, a child wants to show off for Mom, but they need to know Dad is proud of them; they need to know they have his approval.

“The important bottom-line from research is that actively-involved fathers have children who fare better, physically, psychologically, and socially.” (Psychology Today, “What Good Are Fathers”)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

Your Earthly Father Affects Your Perception Of God

Putting more pressure on good ‘ole dad; according to sociologists, most people’s relationship with God is a reflection of the relationship they have with their father. If a dad is hard, harsh, and unforgiving, the child may perceive God in that light also. But a dad who is loving, instructing, and involved in their child’s life gives them a better view of God.

I was blessed to have a loving, caring, and available father. That’s not an inclusive description, by no means. My Dad was patient, kind, funny, a great provider, and so much more. I always felt safe and secure growing up. 

It has not been difficult for me to transfer those feelings of security, trust, and love onto my Heavenly Father. Unfortunately for others, this may not be true. You may not have had the “perfect dad” who reflects the Heavenly Father’s traits. And you may have a more challenging time seeing God how He truly is because of your relationship with your earthly dad.

However, God is not like your dad. But God is not like my dad, either. 

The Bible says there is no one comparable to God (1 Kings 8:23)

Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is going to be different than our relationship with our earthly father.

What Does It Mean To Call God Father?

In Matthew 6:9, Jesus gives His disciples an outline for a successful prayer life. “Pray like this,” He instructed, “Our Father in heaven…”. So, why does Jesus teach His disciples to call God the Creator, Father? 

Although Isaiah referred to God as a Father (Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8), no man before Jesus addressed God with such familiarity. That was one of the problems the religious leaders had with Jesus.

However, we know that Jesus was begotten of God. He was indeed His Son. And as Jesus finished the Father’s work here on earth, He gave us access to become the sons and daughters of Almighty God. There are so many verses clarifying that point listed below.

We are God’s Children

John 1:12, But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

We are Adopted

Romans 8:15, For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

We have a Witness

Romans 8:16, The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

We are Co-heirs

Romans 8:17, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

We are Sons and Daughters

Galatians 3:26, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

We Call God “Daddy”

Galatians 4:6, And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

We are Born of God

1 John 5:1, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

Accepting Christ’s work on the cross on our behalf gives us the power to become co-heirs of Christ. We are seated with Jesus in the heavenly places, so we can experience the immeasurable riches of God’s grace and kindness to us.

And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

It’s like we are already there!

How To Relate With God As Father

So, if God is not comparable to anyone else, and if we are conditioned to relate to Him as we would our earthly father, maybe we need to reevaluate our relationship with Father God and discover how we connect with Him. But how do we do that? 

Jesus, our example for everything, shows us how by allowing us to see how He related to the Father while He was on earth. Jesus is our example in everything; how to act, how to react, how to handle things when they are going well, and how to suffer through persecution. His relationship with the Father is purely submissive. His main goal here on earth was to do the will of the Father.

• Like Father, Like Son-So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. John 5:19
• He was just-“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. John 5:30
• He was humble-For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. John 6:38
• He took responsibility-For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40
• He was submissive-And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

We become joint-heirs with Christ when we are adopted into God’s family by accepting Christ as our Savior. We enjoy all the family privileges when we become a child of the Creator, giving us the right to become so familiar with the Father that we call Him by the endearing name Abba, meaning Daddy. (Romans 8:15)

The Father desires to provide for you, His child. He has great plans for your life. He promises never to leave you, nor turn His back on you. The Father promises that He will be there each time you call on Him. He will forgive and forget your sins and not hold them against you. He is your protector and a solid foundation. He is not fickle. He is not a liar. He never changes. And everything He has belongs to us, His children.

Bible Study about God the Father

Would you like to do a Bible Study on the benefits of God being our Father? I have listed several verses and passages below. Read through them and if you would like to get into a deep study, do a Bible study by taking a sheet of paper, writing down each Scripture one at a time. Look over the verse again and write down words that jump out at you (or highlight them in your Bible). Stop and meditate on these words and their importance.

Get comfortable with the fact that God adopts us, provides for us because we belong to Him, wants to spend time with us because we are His children, and that we are coheirs with Christ Jesus.

Get comfortable with who you are in Christ.

• Matthew 25:34
• John 1:12-13
• John 17:22-23
• Romans 8:17-30
• 2 Corinthians 8:9
• Galatians 4:6-7
• Ephesians 1:3-14
• Colossians 1:12-14
• Colossians 3:24
• 1 Peter 1:3-4

Show Honor To Your Father

The great command to show respect to our earthly father is not hinged on if he deserves it or not. Giving honor may be easy for some of us and impossible for others. But whatever your relationship is with your earthly father, it should not influence your relationship with the Heavenly Father.

He is worthy of our love, devotion, and honor. And we can honor our Heavenly Father in the following ways.

Honor the Father

• spend time with Him in prayer
• meditate on His Word and study it often
• memorize Scripture
• show His love to others
• seek continually to do His will

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of our former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy for I am holy.'” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Join the Conversation

The only perfect Dad is our Heavenly Father. But if you have been fortunate to have a good earthly dad or dad figure in your life, you have been blessed. 

Join the conversation in the comment section below by answering one of these questions:

• What’s your favorite memory of your dad?
• What was your dad’s most endearing character trait?
• How did your dad make you feel safe?
• Is there something you do that reminds you of your dad?
• Have something else you want to share?

You’ll find my comment there, too!

Dad Gifts

Below are some gift ideas from CBD for your Dad for Father’s Day, his birthday, or any other special occasion!

Mug Ceramic My Dad, My Hero

Best Dad Ever Cap

Man of God, Journal and Mug Gift Set

Prayer For My Dad Wood Plaque