Recently, my family brought home a new puppy! Sweet as a baby, our little Ginger smiles with dopey eyes and plays with a rambunctious spirit. Occasionally, her harmless nips turn to energetic bites. Although we must teach her mellow play, we accept that her eleven weeks of life on earth haven’t taught her all of the correct behaviors for a dog. Our good, good Father, the Lord God, interacts with us in a similar way. He offers a never-ending thread of Truth and grace that intertwines with one another. At every turn, He feels compassion for our fleshly nature, yet He desires for us to grow in wisdom so that we will grow closer to Him.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
~ John 1:14
The Father’s Love:
Even in our disobedience, the Lord unconditionally loves us while He encourages us to honor Him. He will help us grow in His tender instruction, love, and care with His strength.
Helping His Children Grow Closer to Him:
During periods of spiritual growth, the Lord might challenge us like the way my family tests Ginger’s self-control by putting her in situations where she is required to gnaw gently. Furthermore, God guides His children with discipline and grace at the exact same time. Since we are sinnful humans, we have all fallen short, but Christ rescues us from sin. Although this doesn’t mean that we may just keep sinning recklessly, Jesus enured the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross in our place. Rising again, the Lion and the Lamb showered grace on His people, leading them in the tension between compassion and Truth to their ultimate destination- being in Heaven with Him!
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
~ 1 Peter 2:2-3
(Let’s worship the Father and acknowledge His great love for us!)
