NT WRIGHT, a well-known Bible scholar and author was once asked following a lengthy and deep lecture to a group of university students, “How old does a child need to be before they can begin understanding the love of God and His divine nature?”

NT paused but only for a second, “Well I suppose perhaps five minutes old”. You could see in the eyes of the interviewer, and you could sense from the audience the astonishment and surprise at this unexpected answer.

“You see”, NT continued, “A child should experience the love of God the minute they’re held in the arms of their parents.” This is God’s divine nature and His plan for every child.

I have to be transparent, honest about my first reaction to this question. My mind was anticipating some exposition from scripture on the “age-of-accountability”. But accountability with and this understanding of God’s nature and love begins from the moment a newborn breathes. A loving home, safe, stable and provided for by their mother and father.

This picture shows a father, loving his newborn adopted daughter. He isn’t the biological father of this child, but he and his wife became her father and mother and provided a home she did not have available to her. All adoptions start in a dark place…including ours.

I can still remember shortly after my own baptism, living in a rather dysfunctional home and without a good relationship with my father and reading verses such as, “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You,  our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64:8. And then finding so many more statements and reminders of this Father and child relationship, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! “ 1 John 3:1. Then of course there is “The Lord’s Prayer” which begins, “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:9-11

These and hundreds of others [15 in the OT] God is referred to as “Father”. This is a powerful, meaningful and personal metaphor that creates many varied applications, examples and insights into our relationship with the Creator, God Almighty and His Son Jesus our Lord and Savior. It was all of these for me many years ago when I came to realize the significance that while my connections to an earthly father was weak the connection to my heavenly Father was deep, real and everlasting, just as Paul said, “³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.

By faith, with trust and obedience this cornerstone is laid in God’s foundation for life. The significance of this cannot be overstated.

Over the years, this “epiphany” story has been told many times to teens, young men and women, even those later in life who still struggle with the loss, pain and the consequences of having no father, an absent father or an abusive father relationship. God CAN BE and IS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

Luke records a tender yet powerful reminder of our Fathers care, “¹¹ If a son asks for ^[e]bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:11-13

A recent survey found that seventy-two percent of Americans believe that fatherlessness in our country is the most significant challenge to our families and society at large. We need and God expects us to be strong, loving, nurturing fathers, “⁴ And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

We should always honor, respect and expect men to be good fathers.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalms 34:8

“As we journey through life, with its struggles and strife…” as the song goes, we must keep an awareness of many things as citizens in God’s kingdom. Here’s just a few for thought today.

Walk worthy…of the calling to which you were called.” Ephesians 4:1 NKJV. Some translations render this “to the manner of life to which you were called.”

Walk circumspectly…”not as fools but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 NKJV. Meaning, walk by “looking around”, being aware of people, surroundings, needs and opportunities.

Walk in love…”as Christ has loved us.” Ephesians 5:2.

Peter quotes, paraphrases this resonant Psalm of David in 1 Peter 2 “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow ^[a]thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:1-3

Our walk is not only righteous, worthy, noble and holy, it is beautiful and good. At least IT SHOULD BE!

I think Peter continues, elaborates, drills down and states the reason for a worthy, good, beautiful walk in the same chapter verses 12 and 15. “² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. [2:12] and “¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” [2:15]

As we “go and make disciples” often we draw on the parable of the Sower, responsible for planting the seeds of the gospel, not for the soil or the fruit and harvest. I think there is an equally valid paradigm or metaphor for our daily walk, bearing good fruit that is beautiful and gives the world, those whom we interact with daily or on any occasion to actually see, experience and “taste” the goodness of God through His people.

This receives support from another powerful analogy given on the “Mount”, you are the light of the world, the salt of the earth.”

There is a well-known quote often attributed to Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."

We have countless interactions with people every day. Each one combined with the words exchanged has the potential to leave a “taste” of God’s, goodness, justice and mercy. Maybe, just maybe, this will as Peter reminds his audience and us, cause someone to ask “a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 2:15-16

Prayer Requests for Schraders' Peterborough, Ontario Trip

In January of this year, Jeff Smelser, who preaches in Pennsylvania, sent out an email requesting preaching assistance on behalf of a small group of Christians meeting in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The group does not have a full or part-time preacher, nor do they have elders. The email request was passed along to Jason Schrader, and so the journey began.

On July 2, Lord willing, Jason, Lisa and their kids will drive north heading to Niagara Falls, then to Buffalo, and hope to arrive in Peterborough on July 5 to begin a month-long work with the 20-25 members of the church in this moderate sized community of about 145,000 Canadians. Veterans Parkway is providing Jason with some financial support as he engages in this work. Jason has already had several communications with Joseph and Cecilia Li, members who are serving as his primary point of contact.

During the month of July, the Schraders plan to do as much work as can be arranged with the saints there, including the 10 Sunday and Wednesday night regular services. Jason has lessons planned to cover 1 John, topical lessons on Bible Archeology, and lessons on how to prepare and present Lord Supper talks. As time and arrangements permit, Jason also may present lessons on the Minor Prophets, one of his favorite OT subjects.

There are several other possible times, topics and opportunities to teach and edify this small group up north as well as for the Schraders to enjoy the fellowship of saints they’ve never met. This is also a great opportunity for the saints at VP to have fellowship in the preaching of the gospel and the building up of fellow Christians in another country. 

Prior to their departure and while they are in Canada, updates may be shared in the News & Notes about their journey plans, the trip itself and progress made during their mission work. Please keep this good work and the Schraders in your prayers, both for safe travels and for good fruit from their endeavors.