"Father of... spirits and lights"

    As we conclude this series, there are two more “Father of…” mentions in the New Testament that I would like to look at this week: “Father of spirits” in Hebrews 12:9 and “Father of lights” in James 1:17.

Father, from the Greek ‘pater’ (Strong’s #3962), it is used of our heavenly Father, He is our originator, our Creator, and as we purify ourselves we come to resemble Him more and more (1 John 3:1-3), as we learn to walk just as His Son, Jesus, walked (1 John 2:1-6).

“Father of spirits”

“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who have corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (Hebrews 12:9 NKJV)

    First some definitions:

•        spirits – all spirit’s, both man’s and angels
•         subjection – to obey, place ourselves under His command, submit to His plan/way, how He would have it
•          live – emphatically stated in this verse (according to the Greek word used), to live fully, to enjoy a real life; one that is active and blessed, in God’s kingdom

    Within the context of Hebrews 12 we find that God chastens us because He loves us and wants us to know right from wrong, He wants us to choose right over wrong, and while painful in the process (of overcoming temptation and sinful habits), He does this for our profit that we may be partakers of His holiness (consider 1 Peter 1:15-16) and bear the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:3-11).

    We respected our parents for their guidance and discipline who did so as they saw fit (with their limited scope of experience and wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:25), how much more should we respect and submit to the heavenly Father, the very One who created us, who is infinite in wisdom (Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33-36, Colossians 2:2-3), gracious in guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and is constant in His love (Romans 5:8; 8:39, 1 John 4:8-10)?

    God is the Father of spirits. He is their Creator, Preserver, Guardian, and Protector. We can trust our soul to His care (Psalm 16:1-2; 57:1, 1 Peter 1:3-9). We need to show respect for His word through reading/listening, study and application (be hearers and doers, James 1:21-27). We need to do what is necessary to submit to God’s way, not waste time trying to align His word to our way of thinking (Matthew 7:21-23; 15:8-9).

“Father of lights”    

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:16-17 NKJV)

    Definitions:

• lights – anything emitting light, ex: a heavenly luminary (star)
• no variation or shadow of turning – God does not change, shift, nor turn (as shadows do with the earth’s rotation and revolution around the sun), He is the absolute and constant reference point (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8)  

    The context of James 1 shows the need to look to God for all that is good and praise Him during hardships because there is so much good He can grant us in any circumstance.

    James was writing to Jews who were “scattered abroad” (v1) and he encouraged them to see the trials they were facing as opportunities to hone their patience and develop an enduring faith that would not be “driven and tossed” (v6) with doubt, but be firmly established. He spurred them on to seek God for what they lacked, namely wisdom – proper wisdom that comes from above (v5, 3:13-18). He also did not want his brethren to be deceived by mistaken notions, so he clarified that God would not/will not put things in their path that could lead them away from Him (He does not tempt people, vv13-15), He provides only what is good, illuminating the very pathway that leads to Him (John 8:12, Psalm 36:9, 119:105, Matthew 7:13-14).

    God is the Father of lights. He is their Creator, Upholder, and Ruler (Genesis 1:14-18, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:26). Consider the benefits of lights on life: the sun provides heat and causes growth and development of living things, we are able to see better in light, and even the light provided from the moon helps us to move about with increased safety. We feel cheered on a sunny day and at night the stars cause wonderment and fascination in their placement and twinkle. God gave us light for our benefit and He went above and beyond by providing us with the Light, His own Son (John 1:1-5, 3:16-21). When we consider the benefits of light and the Light we can better appreciate the term “Father of lights” and how He is the provider of all that is good and perfect. He is the very source of pure light, an unchanging light that will guide us out of the darkness of sin and help us to grow and develop much fruit (Ephesians 5:8-14).

    Look to God and consider these aspects of His character. He is the Father of your spirit and He is the Father of all light. When we submit our soul/spirit to His care and guidance we will live, when we walk in His light we will live both now and beyond this earthly life (1 John 1:5-10)! Keep your eyes and mind on Him (Colossians 3:1-18). It is worth every effort and every sacrifice – and His blessings will abound all the while! Are you ready?

You can do it! So can I!!