Theology Proper: Who is God the Father?
Paternology is defined as "words about the Father", and we see a beautiful description of God the Father in Psalm 103:8-19.
God has both incommunicable (cannot be shared) and communicable (we can imitate) attributes.
Incommunicable attributes:
- Immutability - He is unchanging (Psalm 102:25-27)
- Eternality - He has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2)
- Omnipresence - He is present in every place at all times (Psalm 139)
- Omnipotence - He is all powerful (Psalm 115:3)
- Omniscience - He is all knowing (Psalm 147:5)
- Self-existent - He is the uncreated Creator (John 5:26)
- Sovereign - He has the right and power to do whatever He decides to do (Proverbs 21:1)
- Transcendant - He is separate from the world and from human understanding (Psalm 113:4-6)
Communicable attributes (Gen 1:26-27; Eph 5:1-2):
- Goodness
- Love
- Mercy
- Grace
- Holiness
- Just
- Patient
- Wise
Pastor Alex used the phrase "theology has toes". In other words, what we think and believe about God affects our everyday lives and our actions. It is important to think rightly about the attributes of the Father. Yes, He is an all-consuming fire, but He is also our approachable Daddy.
- We are forgiven - We don't have to live in guilt (what we've done) or shame (wrong belief about who we are). We see God's love for us all over the Bible, but especially in John 3:16-17 and in Luke 15:11-32.
- We have a family - In Christ, we are sons and daughters and sisters and brothers. We are a part of the family of God. (1 John 3:1)
- We can talk to the Father - "Our Father in Heaven" is how Jesus told us to address God. Time Keller said, "The only person who dares wake up a king at 3am for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access."
- We have a model and calling to Fathering - There is a clear path in Scripture of what a father does. Dads must keep loving, be present, be purposeful, and be protective with your fathering of your children. Have passion and honor as you lead them.
- We are left breathless in worship - At the end of deep theological Truth found in Romans 1-11 is Paul's response in Romans 11:33-36. Knowing who God is leads us to a posture of honoring Him in worship.
Questions to Consider:
- When you consider the incommunicable traits of God as a whole, how does that lead you to think about God the Father?
- How are you using the communicable traits of God to bring glory to Him through your life?
- How has being a part of the family of God impacted your life?
- What is something you need to change as a result of what you learned from this study of God the Father?
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