THE FATHER-GOD CONSCIOUSNESS
HE was just God to us, and He was a theological God at that. Most of our young preachers in the early days when I began my ministry, were theological preachers. They had cold philosophy from Germany which had gained the mastery over our Theological Institutions. They gave us a theological Christ, a theological Spirit, a theological Bible, and a theological God. No one ever called Him "Father" in those days. No one knew Him as Father except here and there where someone had been led by the Spirit into the Love Life of the Father. One day John 17:23 came to me. It seemed as though it were like a person that has suddenly come out of the bosom of the Father and come down to my level and enwrapped me in the consciousness that I had never dared to believe.
"That the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovest them, even as thou lovest me."
At first I held back and said, "No, it can't be true." But the music was so entrancing it drew me against my will. I kept whispering. "No, it can't be true. He can't love me as He loved Jesus. I know how unlovely I am. I know how unworthy I am." Then He came nearer to me. He drew me to Himself. I heard a voice whisper to me softly, "What business have you to say that you are unclean, after I have cleansed you? What right have you to declare yourself unrighteous after I have made you righteous? How dare you voice judgment on the New Creation which I have created in My Son." I could not keep the tears back. I said, "Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me, Father. I knew not what I was saying. I have been held in the bondage of Sense Knowledge for so long that I cannot think in terms of Spiritual Truth.
"And when You say that You love me, even as You loved Jesus, it seems just a little more than my heart can grasp." I felt my heart growing warm under the thrill and wonder of His love until I dared to whisper, "The Father loves me; yes, loves me, cares for me, watches over me, feels a personal interest in me, and is ambitious for my success in life." When I saw it I whispered softly, "My Father, my own dear, wonderful Father, my Father-God." I had never said it with this new consciousness. "Father, I love you. I love you, Lord Jesus. I love you, great Holy Spirit, Thou who hast led me into this truth.
At first I held back and said, "No, it can't be true." But the music was so entrancing it drew me against my will. I kept whispering. "No, it can't be true. He can't love me as He loved Jesus. I know how unlovely I am. I know how unworthy I am." Then He came nearer to me. He drew me to Himself. I heard a voice whisper to me softly, "What business have you to say that you are unclean, after I have cleansed you? What right have you to declare yourself unrighteous after I have made you righteous? How dare you voice judgment on the New Creation which I have created in My Son." I could not keep the tears back. I said, "Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me, Father. I knew not what I was saying. I have been held in the bondage of Sense Knowledge for so long that I cannot think in terms of Spiritual Truth.
"And when You say that You love me, even as You loved Jesus, it seems just a little more than my heart can grasp." I felt my heart growing warm under the thrill and wonder of His love until I dared to whisper, "The Father loves me; yes, loves me, cares for me, watches over me, feels a personal interest in me, and is ambitious for my success in life." When I saw it I whispered softly, "My Father, my own dear, wonderful Father, my Father-God." I had never said it with this new consciousness. "Father, I love you. I love you, Lord Jesus. I love you, great Holy Spirit, Thou who hast led me into this truth.
"I love this Word that Thou hast inspired. I love this lonely walk with Thee if Thou wilt hold me by the hand." He is my Father.
Now I know what Jesus meant when He said: "My Father who hath given them to me is greater than all." He is no longer God to me. He may be God to my neighbors, but to me He is my Father, my own Father. He had been my Father God ever since I received Eternal Life, but I did not know it. I did not know I had Eternal Life until I had been a Bible teacher for years. I knew that I had my sins pardoned. I knew that I had been justified. I had been converted, but knew nothing about Eternal Life, the Nature of God, that was in me. How it thrilled me when I knew I had Eternal Life.
I had received Eternal Life but didn't know it. He was my Father, and I didn't know it. I didn't know Him in reality. Christianity was a religion to me that was made up of marvelous experiences. Now it became a Holy Family affair, a relationship. I was God's very own child. He became my very own Father. Oh, the thrill and wonder of it Now I could say, "Good night, Father" as I closed my eyes in slumber. In the morning I could whisper, "Good morning, Father dear, I've another beautiful day to walk with Thee." Life was changed. Christianity was no longer a religion but a Family affair-a Holy, wonderful family affair.
Now I know what Jesus meant when He said: "My Father who hath given them to me is greater than all." He is no longer God to me. He may be God to my neighbors, but to me He is my Father, my own Father. He had been my Father God ever since I received Eternal Life, but I did not know it. I did not know I had Eternal Life until I had been a Bible teacher for years. I knew that I had my sins pardoned. I knew that I had been justified. I had been converted, but knew nothing about Eternal Life, the Nature of God, that was in me. How it thrilled me when I knew I had Eternal Life.
I had received Eternal Life but didn't know it. He was my Father, and I didn't know it. I didn't know Him in reality. Christianity was a religion to me that was made up of marvelous experiences. Now it became a Holy Family affair, a relationship. I was God's very own child. He became my very own Father. Oh, the thrill and wonder of it Now I could say, "Good night, Father" as I closed my eyes in slumber. In the morning I could whisper, "Good morning, Father dear, I've another beautiful day to walk with Thee." Life was changed. Christianity was no longer a religion but a Family affair-a Holy, wonderful family affair.
The Two Kinds of Life.
E.W. KENYON
