Pastor Kent Christmas | Understanding The Nature Of God | May 13, 2026
Understanding the Nature of God: Embracing God as Our Loving Father
Many Christians spend much of their faith journey wrestling with their understanding of God. Is He distant and stern, or is He a close and loving Father? For many, this question lies at the heart of their spiritual walk. In this article, we’ll explore what it truly means to know God as our Father, drawing fresh insights from the Lord’s Prayer and the powerful truths Jesus taught His disciples. If you’ve ever felt hesitant to approach God, or struggled with feelings of unworthiness, these biblical truths can help you experience more freedom, peace, and blessing in your daily life.
The Reverence and Fear of the Lord
Having a sense of reverence for God is essential. Scripture tells us that God is the ultimate judge of humanity and holds our eternity in His hands. But as much as we are to honor and respect Him, sometimes our ideas about God become distorted. Too often, people imagine God first and foremost as a harsh judge, quick to punish every mistake. But Jesus offers us a dramatically different perspective—one that is both comforting and life-changing.
The Lord’s Prayer: Approaching God as Father
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He didn’t begin by saying, “Almighty God,” or even “Our Creator.” Instead, the very first words He taught were: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” This powerful statement reveals something profound about God’s heart for us. Before He is our Judge or Creator, God wants us to know Him as our Father. This invitation is full of grace—He wants relationship, not just ritual.
Far too many believers are held back from drawing near to God because they feel they don’t measure up. Perhaps you grew up believing you had to be perfect to come into God’s presence. But Jesus calls us to come as dearly loved children. The Bible instructs us to “boldly approach the throne of grace,” not because we’ve earned it, but because we are accepted as sons and daughters. If God were angry with us, why would He have given His only Son that we might be saved?
The Giving Nature of God
All throughout Scripture, we see the nature of the Father is one of generosity and blessing. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,” John 3:16 declares. Jesus gave His life for us, and the Holy Spirit continues to pour out gifts upon His people. Giving—of life, of love, of provision—defines God’s dealings with humanity. Condemnation isn’t from Him. God may lovingly convict us to lead us to repentance, drawing us into closeness rather than pushing us away. By contrast, feelings of condemnation isolate us, encouraging us to hide from God just like Adam tried to do in the Garden after he sinned. Yet repentance is a beautiful thing that brings us back into God’s embrace.
What the Lord’s Prayer Reveals About God’s Heart
The Lord’s Prayer doesn’t just tell us to approach God as Father; it also shows us the Father’s heart for our well-being. Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Notice, He makes a distinction between God’s kingdom and His will:
- Kingdom: More than geography or a political system, the kingdom of God is defined by righteousness, peace, and joy. These are the things every human heart desires—whether Christian or not.
- Will: God’s will is for our blessing, healing, and provision. He wants us to experience here and now a taste of what the saints enjoy in heaven—wholeness, peace, joy, and victory over every need.
The prayer also teaches us that God knows our every need before we ask. He desires a personal, loving relationship with us—one rooted not in our perfection, but in our identity as His cherished children.
The Father’s Will: Blessing and Prosperity for His Children
Sometimes, Christians have absorbed the idea that God is just waiting to punish them, or that suffering and lack are signs of spiritual strength. But scripture tells us something else. Consider 3 John 1:2: “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” God wants His children blessed—not merely scraping by until they reach heaven. The Lord’s Prayer includes requests for daily provision, forgiveness, deliverance, and protection. These are the Father’s desires for His children, here and now.
God wants your physical needs met, your soul at peace, your debts forgiven, and your life marked by growing freedom. Sickness, poverty, and spiritual defeat do not come from God—they are attacks of the enemy or the result of life in a fallen world. But God stands eager to meet every need and bring restoration, healing, and blessing. As a loving Father, He delights in seeing His children flourish.
Breaking the Chains of Condemnation
One of the enemy’s most potent weapons is condemnation. When you slip up or fail, he whispers that you’re unworthy to come to God, or that God is angry with you. But the Bible says, “If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God” (1 John 3:21). Conviction brings change and closeness; condemnation brings shame and distance.
If you’ve believed God made you sick, or destined you to struggle, reject that lie. Sickness and trouble are not from Him. Instead, start to pray, “Father, let Your will be done in my life as it is in heaven.” Imagine for a moment what that would look like—no sickness, no depression, no fear, no lack, but continual joy in God’s presence. That is the reality God wants you to experience, not just in eternity but here on
