Dads and Husbands (Part 3)- The Mind of Christ

Of everything God is, one attribute is at the core and centre of His personality and that is, Love. God is Love. Love never gives up. This is because the unconditional love of God is not dependent on the recipient but on Him the giver and very source of Life. We see that God, notwithstanding the shortcomings of man, has made a provision for the restoration of the vital relationship and connection between God and man, for the lamb of God was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8).

It is for this reason Jesus came to restore the broken relationship. He came to reveal the Fatherhood of God such that anyone who believes in Jesus has the capacity to be called the son of God and can indeed wield the dominion mandate as should.

Jesus did not only come to restore the broken relationship but gave the perfect example of how to wield the dominion mandate and what it means to have God as our source. Jesus said very clearly: “I do nothing except that which I see my Father do” ( John 5:19).

The Bible records and we know that Jesus, though in all ways, was God and equal to God, he did not think this equality was something to be eagerly grasped or retained but of His free will stripped Himself of His rightful dignity to assume the guise of a servant. He became like a man and was born a human being. After this, He humbled Himself further and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even to the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-7). This Scripture portion is so powerful. Though God, he chose a form for the purpose to be served. He did it for a purpose. He did it because he saw the bigger picture. He had mankind in mind. Above all, He chose the will of His Father which is that God purposed that through Him (Jesus), all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him the Father made peace by means of the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20).

This perfect example of Christ can be applied in every kind of human relationship. The question, “What is the purpose of this relationship?”  and “On what basis are we relating?” must be clear. It is on these definitions that conduct in the relationship can be forged. Where the relationship is defined and purpose is known, the Lord still shows us how to conduct ourselves in these relationships be it, Father-Child, Husband-Wife, Employer-Employee, amongst friends, siblings, the list goes on. Living on God’s instructions is what it means to have as the source and living out the statement of Jesus when He said, “I do nothing except that which I see my Father do”.

Our Father did not just give us these instructions, He gave us His spirit to help and empower us to live the life of Jesus, our perfect High Priest. He is able to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, because He has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. (Hebrews 4:15).

For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently (Colossians 1:16,19)
To be continued…