THE FATHER AND HIS CHILDREN
Jesus spoke an unusual word. He said, “No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27b). Knowing God the Father is the key to ultimate success in life. Scripture says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Receiving his Fatherhood is the key to all blessings. Every father gets their calling from God the Father, and all should learn to be good fathers.. For a long time, there has been an attack against fathers in America. The more the father image fails in America, the more the nation will crumble. Receiving the blessings and covering of a good father brings security, clarity and confidence. A preacher once announced, “When looking for the right church, find a true father. When you find this pastor, quit looking for all of the other things a church may offer. You have found where you are supposed to be.”
KNOWING HIM
It is impossible to know our Heavenly Father, unless Jesus revealed Him to us. Knowing God is not an academic exercise but a spiritual encounter. You can learn much about Him, but still not know Him. One can read a book about a famous person yet not know that individual personally. There is a huge difference between receiving knowledge about someone and actually knowing them. Reading the book about God can only help you so much. Knowing Him as your personal Father is quite a different story; it is everything. His ultimate blessings come to those who qualify as His children.
So, what blessings does the Father give His children? First, He sent His Son to save us from our sins. “For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Then, He gives us His promise; the promise of the Father, which is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to His disciples, “Wait for the gift my Father promised…you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5).
The gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit are only the beginning. After receiving them, the gifts of the Father never stop coming to His children. Earthly fathers give gifts to their children and that is exactly what God, the Father, does for His children. He pours out protection, provision, direction, wisdom and revelation, fellowship, friends, extended family, houses and lands. He gives us a life of purpose, His approval, and the promise of eternal life, and He announces that one day, we will be like Jesus. He will give us Jesus’ DNA.
THE YOKE IS EASY
Only Jesus can give us a personal relationship with the Father, for no one comes to the Father except through Him. After the Lord tells us this, He tells us what we must do to qualify. The very next verses in Matthew give us the steps we must take so that Jesus can bring us to the Father. Everyone can qualify and it is easy, but we have to follow Jesus’ instructions.
He says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
This yoke is easy and this burden is light, and there are three simple steps to move forward. First, you come to Jesus. Secondly, you connect with Jesus by getting into the yoke with Him. Thirdly, you begin your training, and you learn from Him. That is what we read in the verses above, and when you do these three things, then Jesus connects you with the Father and the blessings begin to flow.
The only thing that will hinder your progress is your stubborn pride and independence. Even in these first statements, our training begins. Jesus tells us to follow Him, for He is humble and gentle in heart. Unless we learn the first lesson of humility, He will resist us. If we humble ourselves, however, He gives us grace to move forward and receive everything else. Scripture says, “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NKJ).
“Come to me, all you.” Those are the first words in these verses. Jesus invites all of us to come. The first step is for all people. Many are weary and burdened but no matter how much we are stressed or suffering, we are invited to come to Jesus. When we do, we find rest and peace, for He forgives us of our sins. He says, “Come and I will give you rest.” When we cast our cares on Him, He cares for us more than anyone else. Burdens are lifted and wounds are healed. Until this healing comes, people are spiritually blind and deaf. They only see their pain, but when Christ heals us, we begin to hear His voice and receive His counsel. Then He gives us rest for our souls and peace in our hearts.
“Take my yoke upon you.” The second step necessary to find the Father is to get into the yoke with Jesus. The animal yoke that Jesus references has two sides. Jesus is in one side, and He invites you to get into the other side. Then you are connected and you begin to follow Jesus’ example. You step where He steps and pull where He pulls. This means you are working. It means you are serving alongside of Jesus. This will give you purpose and significance. As you serve the Lord, you will love and help people. You will see miracles, and nothing is more exciting than seeing lives changed from darkness to light, from sickness to health and from curses to the Father’s blessings.
“And learn from me.” The third step to knowing the Father requires you to be a disciple, a student, and a learner. Jesus gives us his Holy Spirit, and His Holy Spirit becomes our teacher. He will teach us how to pray, how to draw from the Scriptures, and how to worship Him. This opens our spirit to receive a supernatural impartation and a heavenly anointing. He will teach us to be more like Jesus. Our character will change as we deny ourselves and receive His correction. As we change inwardly, He will teach us to be ministers. Then, we can set captives free, open people’s eyes, lift oppression off people, proclaim God’s favor and release His blessings.
Walk with Jesus and receive rest and peace; receive purpose and significance; receive guidance and grace. You will know the Father, and you will be abundantly blessed.
We pray our monthly teaching
devotional empowers & inspires you
to live a supernatural Christian life.
DR. PETER WYNS
Founder & President
Christian for Messiah Ministries
Pastor at Antioch International Church
Instructions in Righteousness is produced by “Christians for Messiah Ministries” (CFM). Dr. Peter Wyns is the President of CFM and the Head Pastor of Antioch International Church. He has served as a pastor for 54 years and ministered in more than 45 nations.
Leave a Reply