Don’t Be a Stranger

“In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loves you . . .” (John 16:26-27, RSV).

God’s love for you is the same as his love for Jesus. This means anything the Father will do for Jesus, he’s willing to do for you also. You’re not an inferior child of God when compared with Jesus Christ. Christ is the firstborn among many brethren (Read Romans 8:29), so Jesus is your brother. You and Christ have the same Father. Consequently, you have equal access to the Father as Jesus himself. This is your inalienable divine right. If anyone, either through deception or ignorance, tampers with this right, he shall answer to the Lord. What has this got to do with today’s Bible verse? Everything. Look again at today’s Scripture. There are no insignificant details in God’s Word.

Jesus says that you will ask in his name. From the time you became born again, you became heir to the power, authority and glory associated with the Name Jesus. Therefore, when you fellowship with the Father or request anything, you do so with authority. But that’s not all. Jesus continues with an astonishing statement. He says that he’s not planning on praying the Father for you. Why? Because, Jesus declares, “the Father himself loves you.” It’s important to hold on to this powerful truth. It’ll change your life. It’ll change your opinion of the Father. And it’ll change your self-image. Basically, Jesus is urging you to walk through the door and meet your Father. He wants you to know the Father for yourself. Jesus will not do that for you, because the Father himself loves you. The Father wants to have the same relationship with you that he had with Jesus when the latter was on earth. Don’t grieve the Father by going through loops and intermediaries. Don’t be a stranger. Enter and meet your Father.

Pray:

Daddy, thank you for lavishing your love upon me. Thank you for making me your child. I can now call you my Dad, because it’s who you are to me. I want to know you more. In the Name of Jesus, I abandon every misconception I have about you. Show me your heart and teach me to fellowship with you like Jesus. I love you, Dad. Amen.

For further study: John 17:1-26