When God becomes Father.

For a long time, I believed in God, but I did not know Him as Father. I knew Him as powerful, holy, and distant. I knew Him as someone to obey, impress, or avoid disappointing. My relationship with God was built on awareness of Him, not intimacy with Him. Everything changed the moment I understood that Jesus gave up His life so I could call God Father.

Jesus did not come merely to forgive sins. He came to restore relationship. When He taught His disciples to pray, He did not begin with fear or formality. He began with family. “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9, ESV). That was radical. Jesus was inviting ordinary people to approach God the same way He did. Not as servants trying to earn favor, but as children who already belonged.

This invitation came at great cost. On the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, ESV). That moment matters deeply. Jesus experienced separation so we could experience adoption. He was treated as distant so we could be brought near. He lost the comfort of calling God Father in that moment so we could gain it forever.

Jesus Himself said this was the purpose. “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17, ESV). He did not say His Father only. He said your Father. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus permanently brought us into His relationship with the Father. That is not poetic language. That is spiritual reality.

Paul explains what this means for us now. “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6, ESV). Abba is not a distant title. It is the language of closeness, safety, and belonging. The Spirit does not teach us to fear God. He teaches us to cry out to Him.

Calling God Father changed how I see myself. I am no longer defined by my past, my failures, or my performance. Scripture says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1, ESV). Not trying to become. Not hoping one day. We are.

It also changed how I handle weakness. A Father does not abandon His children when they stumble. Jesus said, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father… give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11, ESV). I no longer run from God when I fail. I run to Him.

Calling God Father changed my prayer life, my confidence, and my peace. I am not negotiating for acceptance. I am not bracing for rejection. I am not living under suspicion. Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, ESV). God is not reluctant. He is generous.

Jesus did not die just to forgive me. He died to bring me home. “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18, ESV). Access is not earned. It is granted. And it is permanent.

Calling God Father changed everything because it changed how I understand God. I am not approaching a judge hoping for mercy. I am approaching a Father who already gave His Son for me.

Jesus gave up His life so I could say one word without fear.

Father.