Qualities of the Divine Father
Any of my readers who espouse Christian principles should understand the fullness of the sentences below. Others might want to spend a few moments meditating on what new dimensions could be added to one's life who doesn't believe in Divine Fatherhood.
Our Father in Heaven is Love. No, really! He does not have love in greater or lesser amounts than some other person. HE IS LOVE! Everything that He thinks, says, or does is Love. Because He is Love, He pours himself out into the universe, specifically for the benefit of humanity. You see, Love is not Love until it is given away. Therefore, God must give Himself away if He is Love. (Pope Benedict wrote a whole encyclical on this very topic: Deus Caritas Est.)
Further, God is merciful! God is far more merciful than any human could ever imagine, or hope to be him/herself. Despite the vast sinfulness and narcissism of men and women on earth, God wants to forgive us, welcome us into His arms, and be in communion with us for eternity.
God is Truth! This concept certainly is difficult for modern culture. However, we can objectively state that the one Who created all life and existence did so with certain characteristics that are innate and incontrovertible. God's Truth is the first cause from which all lesser truths flow; and God's Truth took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ so that all humans might experience it.
God is eternally just. Everyone will be judged (either in personal or final judgment) according to his/her thoughts, words, and deed while on this mortal coil. No person will receive more or less than what he/she has "earned," and no person will be judged according to what he/she did not know or understand. God's justice will prevail in all cases for all time! (God's justice must never be separated from His mercy, however.)
God is also all-powerful. He can do anything He desires, whenever He desires. Let's not put Him to the test!
Aside from being the embodiment of Truth and being all-powerful, the rest of the characteristics mentioned are noble goals for people upon the earth, especially fathers. Now that I have found out that I will be a father soon, I pray that I will exhibit all of those qualities toward my beautiful child. I have a deep desire to be all-loving, all-merciful, and completely just. Please pray for me as I enter into the next phase of my adult Christian life.
God Bless.
Our Father in Heaven is Love. No, really! He does not have love in greater or lesser amounts than some other person. HE IS LOVE! Everything that He thinks, says, or does is Love. Because He is Love, He pours himself out into the universe, specifically for the benefit of humanity. You see, Love is not Love until it is given away. Therefore, God must give Himself away if He is Love. (Pope Benedict wrote a whole encyclical on this very topic: Deus Caritas Est.)
Further, God is merciful! God is far more merciful than any human could ever imagine, or hope to be him/herself. Despite the vast sinfulness and narcissism of men and women on earth, God wants to forgive us, welcome us into His arms, and be in communion with us for eternity.
God is Truth! This concept certainly is difficult for modern culture. However, we can objectively state that the one Who created all life and existence did so with certain characteristics that are innate and incontrovertible. God's Truth is the first cause from which all lesser truths flow; and God's Truth took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ so that all humans might experience it.
God is eternally just. Everyone will be judged (either in personal or final judgment) according to his/her thoughts, words, and deed while on this mortal coil. No person will receive more or less than what he/she has "earned," and no person will be judged according to what he/she did not know or understand. God's justice will prevail in all cases for all time! (God's justice must never be separated from His mercy, however.)
God is also all-powerful. He can do anything He desires, whenever He desires. Let's not put Him to the test!
Aside from being the embodiment of Truth and being all-powerful, the rest of the characteristics mentioned are noble goals for people upon the earth, especially fathers. Now that I have found out that I will be a father soon, I pray that I will exhibit all of those qualities toward my beautiful child. I have a deep desire to be all-loving, all-merciful, and completely just. Please pray for me as I enter into the next phase of my adult Christian life.
God Bless.