The Infinite Fatherliness of God

(The following lesson is taken from the writings of Steve Bray- “The Faith that Prays”)


"Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil {because your heart is naturally self-centered and self-seeking}, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven {with His nature of self-sacrificing love} give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matt. 7:9-11)

Although this parable is simple and easy to understand, it contains a deep spiritual lesson that is often overlooked. The influence of the child’s prayer is directly connected to his relationship with his parent. The child must be living as an obedient member of the family if he wants to exert real influence. The fulfillment of the promise, “Ask, and it shall be given you,’ is dependent upon living in a submissive relationship with our Father.

True love for God is always expressed through obedience. (John 14:21) Jesus said, “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29) He set this example to show His disciples how the children of God are expected to live. The child who forsakes his Father’s house, finding no pleasure in obeying his Father, and then expects God to answer his prayers, will be greatly disappointed. God must hide His face from those who are resisting His light of truth.

"Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." (Isa. 59:2)

The childlike privilege of having every prayer answered is directly linked to the necessity of living as a child under the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is what actually qualifies us as a true child of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14, emphasis added) Those who will repent and turn away from their old self-directed way of life so they may be led by the Spirit of God, will come into an intimate relationship with their heavenly Father. As they choose to walk by the Spirit, they will begin to hear from Him and learn of the divine will for their life. This enables them to walk with God, to pray in harmony with His Spirit and receive answers to their requests. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25)

Those who will choose to walk in the Spirit as Jesus did can expect to learn of the Father’s will. And each submissive child will discover that Father-like giving is the Divine response to Son-like living. As we walk in the Spirit we can depend on Him to work out all things for our good.

As the child recognizes his own weaknesses, he will learn to depend more and more on his Father. In this dependent faith, where we are fully surrendered to God’s will, an abiding relationship develops. And as we continue to live in harmony with the purposes of our Father, the Son is able to manifest Himself through us. We then find that our weakness does not matter because we are not expected to do anything on our own. Our choice to permit the Son to manifest His life through us makes it possible to bear His divine fruit. He comes to us “according to the power of an endless life.” (Heb. 7:16)

"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:5, 7-8)

The Father requires His children to submit to His will and to live by dependent faith in Him. He must have the child’s whole heart. The child who tries to live independent of the Father until he wants something, will be disappointed. But whoever permits God to always be the Father in everything, living by dependent faith in His love, will discover that such a life in God’s infinite Fatherliness will result in continual answers to prayer. “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matt. 6:6)