Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
Before the foundations of the earth were laid. Before darkness was over the surface of the deep. Before the Holy Spirit hovered over the surface of the waters. Before the earth was without form and void. Before there were birds, or plants, or animals. Before man, before the fall, before sin. Before there was a creation or people to rule or to judge, God was Father.
The Father was loving His Son.
What would it look like for us to walk continually in the beautiful awareness that, in Christ, we are loved by a Father. Beyond serving a God who is creator, ruler, and judge, we have a God who is Father. Because of Christ, we are fully accepted by this Father. A Father who chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). A Father who has adopted us as His sons (Ephesians 1:5). A Father who loves us with the same love with which He loved Jesus (John 17:23, 26).
The temptation we face is to forget that before the foundations of the earth, before God was a creator, ruler, or judge, He was Father. Knowing God only as creator, ruler, or judge can make Him seem distant, aloof. But knowing God as Father changes us. God my Father. Fathers long for relationship with their sons. He loves first.
Once you are a son, you will never not be a son. No one is able to snatch you out of the Father’s hand (John 10:29). Far too often we live our lives as if we are not sons. We live like servants or slaves. Instead of flowing in God’s love, we spend time searching, striving, and trying to avoid punishment and judgment. We medicate ourselves. We bend inward instead of upward. We end up giving ourselves over to lesser loves. It is here we miss out on enjoying our relationship with God. The blessing of a father and his son.
God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6). Stop striving to become a son. In Christ, you already are one, loved by the Father who loved His Son before the world began. Turn your heart and draw near to your Father and believe by faith through the Spirit you are His son. Look at His face in Jesus. Trust in this gospel truth. Ask the Father to show you what this means. Experience what it feels like to sit on the shoulders of a Father.
The Next Question
- When you think of God, do you see Him first as your loving Father?
- If Father isn’t first, who or what is?
- What keeps you from believing the truth that you were loved before the foundation of the world?