Of all the words used to describe the Christian’s relationship with God, perhaps the most beloved is “child.” It is instinctive, for those of us who are not without natural affection (Rom. 1:31, 2 Tim. 3:3), to smile at children, reach out to them, and show love toward these new members of our society. For the vast majority, childhood is a time of love, frivolity, innocence, and learning. These qualities make childhood endearing, and among our most cherished memories as adults. It is also what makes us desire a happy childhood for those now experiencing such years, and what makes us lament the tragedy of a childhood gone wrong. Certainly the fact that some do not have affectionate memories regarding childhood testifies to the truth that childhood ought to be a time of love and affection, not pain and sorrow.
Childhood is also a time when new members of society learn the rules of living: how to stay safe, how to obey the law, how to work, how to learn, how to mature. Good parents will guide children through these lessons, and instruct them so that they do not make fatal mistakes. However, good parents will also allow children to make some (non-fatal) mistakes for themselves so that they may learn from their errors. At times, it is necessary for parents to discipline children to teach them the error of their ways (Prov. 22:15). Excellent parents will bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Such are the circumstances surrounding a healthy parent/child relationship.
If children obey their parents and honor their fathers and mothers (Eph. 6:1-2), then their lives will be well, and they will grow up ready to face the challenges of adulthood. Such children may expect to live long and fruitful lives (Eph. 6:3). However, children that do not obey their parents, and do not honor their fathers and mothers are aweariness to them, and may expect their lives to be cut short (Prov. 30:17). In adulthood, properly reared children will know a relationship with their parents that they have not experienced in their fledgling years. They will come to know father and mother as beloved friends, and hopefully, brothers and sisters in the Lord. Such is the reward for both parent and child in a godly family.
Having these thoughts in mind regarding earthly families, these truths are magnified infinitely when considered in relationship to our heavenly family, and specifically, our heavenly Father. While on this earth, we must consider our relationship to God to be one of childhood. It is our duty here to be safe, obey God’s law, learn, grow, and mature. God gives us His word to guide us in this process, and even sends chastening our way to aid us in learning from our mistakes (Heb.12:5-11). However, this is all for our benefit, so that we may grow to the point where we may escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust, and be ready to become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet.1:4).
Like having an earthly father that loves and cares for us, having a heavenly Father who loves and cares for us as His children is comforting. Such is not an imaginative invention of a metaphysical father from earthly fathers as Freud suggested. The notions of God as our all loving Father and we as His children together persisting in a loving relationship based upon the truths of the gospel–these notions are not the kinds of relationships that lustful men would develop given their own resources. We see what wicked men do to families; such does not reflect the love and relationship building efforts of a true father. Such a standard of fatherhood comes not from the natural world, but from beyond—from the Father of lights who gives every good and perfect gifts (James 1:17), and from the Father of spirits who provides perfect guidance for our path as living beings (Heb.12:9). The relationship of God the Father with His children is such that they may–through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ–have the abundant life (John 10:10).
When looking upon our earthly families and the joys that we may experience through them when these families are being conducted according to God’s truths, we see but a dim reflection of the great joy and contentment that will obtain because we are children of God.
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)