Whose Fatherhood

I recently heard a message on Hebrews and specifically 4:14 which talks about "...let us hold fast our confession."  As the word for confession was explained from the Greek, it is homologia which has a primary meaning of agreement.  So holding fast to your confession means to come into agreement with what Jesus has done on your behalf and then to speak it out.  I have also been learning from Genesis that God's design for us is to be "...fruitful and multiply".  Both men and women are to being nurturing but the fatherhood of men is a unique form of nurturing.  As we see the Fatherhood of God displayed in Jesus, we see a redemptive healer who restores what is broken, smashed, or destroyed.  Jesus contrasts the Fatherhood of God coming through Him with the father of lies, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)  I believe we unknowingly come into agreement with the father of lies, when we agree with his perspective on situations.  We often come into agreement with things that are really death (like lies about our identity, sickness, disasters, financial loss, or hopelessness).  If I am under the influence of the Father of Heaven, I will look toward life, redemption, hope, and wholeness.  In our modern church culture I believe we have often agree with confusing messages about the nature of God by saying God sent disasters that killed many as judgement on people.  We might even come into agreement that a gay man got AIDS as judgement for his sin, what picture does this portray of our Father.  I believe one of the most important priorities for the Body of Christ is express the true nature of God but for this to happen we must agree with all Jesus did on our behalf.  Who we agree with has power to direct our life.  The Lord spoke to my heart one time and said that when I agree with lies about my identity, then functionally I am experiencing the fatherhood of the father of lies (the Devil).  Jesus confronted the Pharisees on this when they were not agreeing with who He was but even attributing the works of Jesus to the Devil.  I am concerned for the Body of Christ that we agree more with the father of lies, than with the Father who created us and loves us eternally.  Those under the fatherhood of God will experience life and love.  Our Father is nurturing, healing, and redemptive Father.  We see the express nature of the Father displayed in Jesus as He went about healing and doing good.  I have included "The Father's Love Letter" which is a YouTube video that expresses the Father's heart for you.  I pray that you would be upheld by His love today and continually receive His healing for your heart.

In His Grip,
Bret