How God Shows His Love to Us
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Matthew 7:8–11
Because our culture has such a distorted view of God, it is hard for us to overcome the constant barrage of misinformation about Him that we receive. Even some religious groups describe a God that is almost unrecognizable from the pages of Scripture. We must have a proper view of God to live as He commands. And that view can only come to us from the Bible. In its pages is the only true description of His nature and character, and these truths should be the foundation for our attitude toward God.
One of the purposes of Jesus’ life and ministry was to declare and reveal the true nature of God. “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26). At a time when most of the world’s religions featured a god or many gods who were distant and aloof, requiring appeasement for their wrath, Jesus described a loving Father who Himself provided a way for man to come into His presence.
This truth is reinforced in the teaching of Jesus on the subject of prayer. He contrasts God to earthly fathers who, despite their limitations, do their best to provide for their children. God is much more able and willing to respond to our prayers than any human could be. He delights in hearing from us.
Matthew 7:8–11
Because our culture has such a distorted view of God, it is hard for us to overcome the constant barrage of misinformation about Him that we receive. Even some religious groups describe a God that is almost unrecognizable from the pages of Scripture. We must have a proper view of God to live as He commands. And that view can only come to us from the Bible. In its pages is the only true description of His nature and character, and these truths should be the foundation for our attitude toward God.
One of the purposes of Jesus’ life and ministry was to declare and reveal the true nature of God. “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26). At a time when most of the world’s religions featured a god or many gods who were distant and aloof, requiring appeasement for their wrath, Jesus described a loving Father who Himself provided a way for man to come into His presence.
This truth is reinforced in the teaching of Jesus on the subject of prayer. He contrasts God to earthly fathers who, despite their limitations, do their best to provide for their children. God is much more able and willing to respond to our prayers than any human could be. He delights in hearing from us.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If we do not properly view God as our loving Father, we will not seek His face in prayer as we should.
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