He saved us … because of his mercy.
Summary: Putting ourselves in God’s place for a moment feels weird. Yet there is something to be learned in making the attempt. We discover that creating humanity also created the possibility of family.
Imagine for a moment that you are God. Yes, I know. That feels almost blasphemous, doesn’t it? Still, it helps us to understand our heavenly Father if we try and look through his eyes.
So, to be clear: I am not suggesting we have God’s power for the sake of power. Along with being God comes the responsibility to be pure in everything you do. You cannot make a false step. You cannot indulge in self-pity of any kind. You are God.
For reasons of your own, you want to create godly offspring. You desire to have a family. You have already created angels and given them free will. There is one angel, in particular, Lucifer, who defies you and corrupts other angels to be like himself. These angels are cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:9).
Redemption for the fallen angels is not possible. They have seen your glory and still chose to defy you. But what if it were possible to create a being like yourself who would know you but not see you? If this were the situation, even if they fell into sin, redemption would be possible. It would be costly but possible. Such a situation would allow you to demonstrate your mercy.
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It is interesting to think about. Why did God create a race of people who live for a short time in the flesh before becoming fully spiritual? Why did God take such an interest in his Creation? Why would God himself become part of his Creation?
When God saves us from the condemnation we deserve, it is not because he owes us anything. He does not save us because he is wracked with guilt. He gave Adam and Eve every opportunity to live in a garden free of pain, suffering, work, and weeds. They had only one rule to follow and instead, they chose to follow Lucifer.
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What does God get for all of his trouble? Having created us, sustained his creation, and then redeemed us with his Son, what does he get?
What God “gets” is family. We are his children. He is our Father. Those who are his, whom he has chosen for his own, love him. We love him because of his mercy. We owe him everything for all eternity.
Application: Remember why God saves us.
Food for Thought: What is the difference between thinking about God as “God” and as “Father?”
I think that you already said it well here. The difference between God being God and God being our Father is relationship.
Thank you, Rich.
I found it an interesting meditation.
Sometimes the idea of God and Creator invoke an image of a celestial being far removed from us humans. As a father I know that I would do anything for my children, and to know that my God and Creator, a being who can do literally anything, chose to suffer in my place so that I don’t have to suffer eternally, brings a closeness to Him. Like a father, the Father wants to develop us into mature, capable people. But instead of preparing us for just “life,” He wishes to prepare us for eternal life, and an eternity with Him.
Chris,
Very well said. Thank you!
What is the difference between thinking about God as “God” and as “Father?”
Knowing I am a child of God. He is my Father gives me great confidence and security. He is the perfect, loving, dependable Father I see in the Bible, and I live in infinite peace knowing He is watching over me now and forever.
Someone once wrote, “Religion is a guy in church thinking about fishing. Relationship is a guy out fishing thinking about God.”
“ I just thought you might be getting ready to ask about this next.”
Thank you, Ron.
I like the reference to religion and relationship. Well said!