Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #3 — God The Father

Picture: Counsel #3 — God The Father CCL 13.1

The eternal Father, Creator, and ruler of all, is both just and loving, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He embodies both perfect justice and boundless love. He is slow to anger, overflowing with steadfast devotion and unwavering faithfulness. In the Son and the Holy Spirit, we see these divine attributes mirrored.^[14] CCL 13.2

At Sinai, God expressed His desire to be Israel’s friend—to be with them, to live life alongside of them.^[15] It is still God’s desire to “dwell among us.” CCL 13.3

“Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’” John 14:9 NKJV CCL 13.4

“…. Satan, the enemy of good, has blinded people’s minds, so that they look upon God with fear, and they think of Him as hard and unforgiving. Satan tries to make people think of God as a severe judge without pity. He says that the Creator is always watching for people to make mistakes so He can punish them. To show them that this is not true, Jesus came to this world. He wanted people to see God’s infinite love.” Ellen White in Steps to Christ, p. 5 CCL 13.5

Reflect: How does the concept of God as both just and loving challenge your perception of Him? CCL 13.6