THE PRINCIPLE OF PRAISE !

THE PRINCIPLE OF PRAISE !: The prayer begins with the words, "Our Father which art in heaven. . ." The unsaved can pray this prayer just as they can recite a poem or sing a song. But to really pray this prayer from the heart -- to really have fellowship with God -- one was actually being a child of God. In the words of Jesus to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I sailed to thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Verse 5, Jesus answers, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say into thee, You must be born again." (John 3:3-6-7). Otherwise, he or she cannot truly say, "Our Father. . ." We hear much teaching these days about "the father of God and the brotherhood of man." Some would try to make us believe we all are children of God; that He is the Father of all of us. While it's true that He's the Creator of all, and we all are fellow creatures, He isn't the Father of all of us. In the words of Jesus again, (John 8:39-44). They were claiming because they were descendents of Abraham, that God is father. "They answered and said unto him Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them, if you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham, you do the deeds of your father. Then they said unto him, we be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, if God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I love myself, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my speech ? Even because you cannot hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." He is only the Father of those who have been born again; those in His family. During Jesus earthly ministry He once said to a group of Pharisee, who were very religious people, (John 8:44). The Pharisees were good people as far as works for concerned. Yet Jesus said "you are of your father the devil" ! Everyone that is born into this world has the nature of the devil. And everyone that comes to God through Jesus Christ takes on the D&A or nature of God ! Jesus is saying here that the right approach to God is to come to Him because He is our Father, and to come in praise and in worship: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name . . ." (v.9). Coming to His presence first with praise and worship because He is our Father.