Thinking of God the Father and loving Him in return

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Mar 4, 2013
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#1
As we all know, those of us who believe in God the Father and God the Son, our heavenly Father desires a sincere relationship with Him. That's the way He set the stage from the beginning, so to speak. With the best of sincere intentions, if we are more concerned about what God thinks of us, and less concerned about what we think of Him, what kind of relationship would that be? Some could say both need to be the same, but human nature doesn't allow an equilibrium in this case, for one always has to be more prevalent than the other according to human capabilities. Think about a husband wife relationship, or a parent child relationship, and compare the concept with a Christian God relationship.

I desire insight and opinions concerning how a relationship with God works well according to His desire and expectations.
 
Apr 10, 2015
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#2
As we all know, those of us who believe in God the Father and God the Son, our heavenly Father desires a sincere relationship with Him. That's the way He set the stage from the beginning, so to speak. With the best of sincere intentions, if we are more concerned about what God thinks of us, and less concerned about what we think of Him, what kind of relationship would that be? Some could say both need to be the same, but human nature doesn't allow an equilibrium in this case, for one always has to be more prevalent than the other according to human capabilities. Think about a husband wife relationship, or a parent child relationship, and compare the concept with a Christian God relationship.

I desire insight and opinions concerning how a relationship with God works well according to His desire and expectations.
i think the biggest obstacle, speaking from personal experience, is getting to that point of simply understanding that all he wants us to do is accept his unconditional love. That's all. It feels like it's all one way because of our flesh minds that nothing is given for free.
But Gods' return is when we can reach that level of acceptance of all that love just because.....and for no other reason.

then we in turn begin to become exactly what he had always hope for us to be, the image of him in which we were created, Pure Love.

God bless
 
Apr 9, 2015
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#3
His Desire and expectation is that you KNOW Him, He that Gave Himself on the tree... many on the last day will stand before Him and confess Him, but He never knew them......... My relationship with My Redeemer is come to pass because He brought it to pass. because He was Good and Merciful.. had nothing to do with my merits as a human, as a biblical scholar, my knowledge of the Word, but because He Ordained it and brought it to pass.. He has decreed that Myself and others be conformed to the Image of His Son, this from the Foundation of the World.. its not what I can do for God, ITS ABOUT WHAT HE'S DONE FOR ME.. at the Tree... God didnt Create me and others because He 'needed' man somehow to hold Him up or 'help' Him along in any ways.. He created myself and the whole human creation because He was GOOD. and He saved me because He was Good and Merciful... when One comes to the revelation that its that God first loved us.. and we didnt deserve His Love in the first place...and that we did not love Him first, then the deeper relationship with Him can happen.. until that happens, man will continue in his/her pride and pat himself/herself on the back as they believe they are in a deep relationship with God because of 'what they do'.. not instead of What He has already done.. Only God HImself can pull man back and place Him at the Foot of the Cross and show Him just how much He loved him/her.. Christ Crucified, the Power and Wisdom of God....
 
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
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#4
His Desire and expectation is that you KNOW Him, He that Gave Himself on the tree... many on the last day will stand before Him and confess Him, but He never knew them......... My relationship with My Redeemer is come to pass because He brought it to pass. because He was Good and Merciful.. had nothing to do with my merits as a human, as a biblical scholar, my knowledge of the Word, but because He Ordained it and brought it to pass.. He has decreed that Myself and others be conformed to the Image of His Son, this from the Foundation of the World.. its not what I can do for God, ITS ABOUT WHAT HE'S DONE FOR ME.. at the Tree... God didnt Create me and others because He 'needed' man somehow to hold Him up or 'help' Him along in any ways.. He created myself and the whole human creation because He was GOOD. and He saved me because He was Good and Merciful... when One comes to the revelation that its that God first loved us.. and we didnt deserve His Love in the first place...and that we did not love Him first, then the deeper relationship with Him can happen.. until that happens, man will continue in his/her pride and pat himself/herself on the back as they believe they are in a deep relationship with God because of 'what they do'.. not instead of What He has already done.. Only God HImself can pull man back and place Him at the Foot of the Cross and show Him just how much He loved him/her.. Christ Crucified, the Power and Wisdom of God....
Agreed. We must focus on His character first, and respond according to what we see in Him. Thank you for your input brother. It was good.
 
L

Least

Guest
#5
As we all know, those of us who believe in God the Father and God the Son, our heavenly Father desires a sincere relationship with Him. That's the way He set the stage from the beginning, so to speak. With the best of sincere intentions, if we are more concerned about what God thinks of us, and less concerned about what we think of Him, what kind of relationship would that be? Some could say both need to be the same, but human nature doesn't allow an equilibrium in this case, for one always has to be more prevalent than the other according to human capabilities. Think about a husband wife relationship, or a parent child relationship, and compare the concept with a Christian God relationship.

I desire insight and opinions concerning how a relationship with God works well according to His desire and expectations.
I like the picture of the husband/wife, parent/child relationship.

This always makes me think of 1 Cor. 13:

1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
 
Apr 9, 2015
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#6
We Love Him, BECAUSE He first loved us..


Where did CHRIST Display His Love?

it was at the Tree, Where He gave Himself,

all Genuine Relationships with the Father, begin with the Revelation of His love for the sinner at the tree, Where He gave Himself for them. From there a person understands that its NOT about what they can do for God to please Him unto Salvation, but its about What GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM, only the Paraclete can show the convert this. Most seek a deeper relationship with God, thinking it 'starts' and 'ends' with them.. the Simplicity is that a deeper relationship begins with God and what God has already accomplished.

Deeper Relationships are strengthened and woven thru AFFLICTION, PERSECUTION, FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. Christ Crucified... Your Identity in Christ is 'formed' thru these .. who you are in Him, from your personal life to the Work you do on a daily basis and what you 'desire' to enjoy that He has freely given to you.... Your Identity in Christ is Hidden Him.. as is your Life. You life is Hid in Christ, ye know it.. all other attempts to mold you and conform you according to others 'ideas' according to their 'christ' , these become vague and truthfully vain.. Those with a deeper understanding of God and His Person, a deeper relationship, are those who understand all things they receive in this life , are Freely given, and the source comes from Him who Laid it down at Calvary.. blessings, deeper relationships with God the Father, these all flow thru Christ Crucified. no other way.. any other way is just the pride of man.. thumping his /her chest..
 
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
107
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#7
I like the picture of the husband/wife, parent/child relationship.

This always makes me think of 1 Cor. 13:

1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Excellent scripture that pertains. I was just thinking about a love relationship, and it seems that we will say with confidence that all of what God says and represents is true, and then say, without taking a breath, that some of those things aren't for me because of what I see of Him. I think that focusing on whether we are acting right so God will accept us, can take our eyes off of the true character that represents Him. Many times I find myself focused on the secondary, (that being "does He approve of my life?"), but what I really should be seeing is only in my "spiritual peripheral vision" because my priority is wrong. I find myself more concerned about my spiritual walk in His sight than I am of Him.

Many of us are so focused in our lives that we miss God on the edges.

peripheral vision- God on the edges | NEEDinc
 
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
107
0
#8
We Love Him, BECAUSE He first loved us..


Where did CHRIST Display His Love?

it was at the Tree, Where He gave Himself,

all Genuine Relationships with the Father, begin with the Revelation of His love for the sinner at the tree, Where He gave Himself for them. From there a person understands that its NOT about what they can do for God to please Him unto Salvation, but its about What GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM, only the Paraclete can show the convert this. Most seek a deeper relationship with God, thinking it 'starts' and 'ends' with them.. the Simplicity is that a deeper relationship begins with God and what God has already accomplished.

Deeper Relationships are strengthened and woven thru AFFLICTION, PERSECUTION, FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. Christ Crucified... Your Identity in Christ is 'formed' thru these .. who you are in Him, from your personal life to the Work you do on a daily basis and what you 'desire' to enjoy that He has freely given to you.... Your Identity in Christ is Hidden Him.. as is your Life. You life is Hid in Christ, ye know it.. all other attempts to mold you and conform you according to others 'ideas' according to their 'christ' , these become vague and truthfully vain.. Those with a deeper understanding of God and His Person, a deeper relationship, are those who understand all things they receive in this life , are Freely given, and the source comes from Him who Laid it down at Calvary.. blessings, deeper relationships with God the Father, these all flow thru Christ Crucified. no other way.. any other way is just the pride of man.. thumping his /her chest..

The Pharisees were so concerned about how they were seen of God and man, (as they estimated what was righteous), that they prohibited themselves from seeing God as He truly is by putting their own priorities on the back burner. I'd say this was self-centered acceptance, for a lack of a better term. Performance should never be priority. Performance has to be directed by faith, then it's God doing it and not us.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Matthew 23:23

Getting on board with God's frame of mind instead of our mindset enhances the love relationship with Him.
 
Last edited:

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
63
#9
1 Jn 4:7-16

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
KJV
 
L

Least

Guest
#10
Excellent scripture that pertains. I was just thinking about a love relationship, and it seems that we will say with confidence that all of what God says and represents is true, and then say, without taking a breath, that some of those things aren't for me because of what I see of Him. I think that focusing on whether we are acting right so God will accept us, can take our eyes off of the true character that represents Him. Many times I find myself focused on the secondary, (that being "does He approve of my life?"), but what I really should be seeing is only in my "spiritual peripheral vision" because my priority is wrong. I find myself more concerned about my spiritual walk in His sight than I am of Him.

Many of us are so focused in our lives that we miss God on the edges.

peripheral vision- God on the edges | NEEDinc
Good article, I actually had to zoom in on the page to read it. lol..
The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.” Seeing things clearly, seeing things as they are, is the function of eyes. Blurred vision misinterprets reality…, really; ask any Impressionist; ask any pharmacist who prescribes allergy relief medicine. Ask any Navy, Marine, or Air Force recruiter interviewing a potential recruit who says, “I want to be fighter pilot.” What’s the recruiter’s reply? How’s your vision?
That is true, I've always had 20/20 vision up until about five years ago. My eye sight changed so gradually that I didn't even realize that I wasn't seeing the details in things, like leaves on trees....

When I first got them and wore them home I was amazed at how much more detail I could see. I couldn't stop looking around at different things, flowers were more intricate and not only were the leaves on the trees not jumbled up masses but they were detailed I could almost see the shape of the leaves from twenty yards away...I still notice that after I haven't worn them for a few days.

My husband and I went out to dinner a few nights ago, and he picked up his cell phone to text me something. Since I know him so well I already knew what he was sending me, so I texted him back with a response before he even finished his note. He told me, "you know me too well." It made us both laugh...

This is a good reminder to slow down and to be more attentive. As the article says, "all things work together for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose." Getting to know Him, (as you said) like a husband/wife or a parent/child relationship. :) Good article.
 
Mar 4, 2013
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#11
Think about a relationship with husband a wife. They are to be of the same mind, but they are still individuals. Relate this to the relationship with the church and Christ, for Paul calls this relationship in likeness and parallel as being a mystery. If the Husband is attractive to the wife, she sees his true character because she relates her own character to that of her husband. If her life is that which her husband can complement (not by his human capability but just by who he is), she will be like minded in complementing her husband's personage that defines him as the individual he is. If the church is complemented by Christ according to their life style, they will also do the same in in return by complementing Christ, and Christ then is seen through the church. It isn't what we say, or our given capabilities that is so important, it's who we are in relation to the one we love, and experiencing a growing attractiveness founded in love given and received continuously.
Matthew 11:28-30
[SUP]28 [/SUP]Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
 
Mar 4, 2013
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#12
The children of God the Father are the church, and as a mother, the church's duty is to instruct the children according to their Fathers desire based on real love. There are some defined bodies/churches today that instruct the children with partial principles of the Father because they, as a wife, only know little about their own husband and minister accordingly by avoiding the completeness of the Father while they deceive themselves saying they love Him.

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4b

This is not done on purpose by the church/wife, I would hope, in most cases. The problems show up when the wife cannot understand the spirit/persuasion/character of her own husband. She looks at the relationship by her predetermined outlook, and says to herself, "I know as much as I need to in order to represent the Father as his helpmate as I see fit."

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12

She might ask of her husband now and then about certain things, and her husband might strongly intervene with statements she prefers not to accept even though they would be a benefit to their relationship. She renders herself incapable of understanding because she is focused on her own priorities instead of His.
 
Apr 9, 2015
995
10
0
#13
The Pharisees were so concerned about how they were seen of God and man, (as they estimated what was righteous), that they prohibited themselves from seeing God as He truly is by putting their own priorities on the back burner. I'd say this was self-centered acceptance, for a lack of a better term. Performance should never be priority. Performance has to be directed by faith, then it's God doing it and not us.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Matthew 23:23

Getting on board with God's frame of mind instead of our mindset enhances the love relationship with Him.


The Pharisee's mindset is on 'him', his/her abilities, focus on 'how they are doing it'.. to be justified in the Eyes of God the Father, God says its Been Done already. the Tree, Its Apppeasment, Trusting on His Son's Work... indeed.. modern day pharisees, understand this, even preach it. but then being crafty add to it or take something away.. From the completed Work of Christ... My Grace is Sufficient.. indeed! Gods' Mindset is to BELIEVE AND TRUST in the One whom He sent.. not only is this His Mindset, but from this simple faith.. one Is Justified and Receives Imputed Righteousness.. From the Father, this not 'on their abilities' but because they are Believing, in His Son's work...