Our Heavenly Father Matthew 6v9

As goes the home, so goes society and the nation.  Centuries ago Confucius said, “The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes.” One of the greatest things we can do as believers is help to build godly Christian homes.  In Colossians 3, Paul addresses the various members of the family and points out the factors that make for a strong and godly home.

Because "above" is where you are already in Christ, it is foolish and harmful to live for the things below. We should naturally seek after eternal, heavenly things.

We are citizens of heaven and citizens of the United States of America. We are commanded to set our affections on things above and not on things of the earth, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and our love for America should never be greater than our love for our God and our heavenly home where we will enjoy His unbroken fellowship forever. This dual citizenship can bring about conflicts of interest and Paul provides some clear guidelines for a Christian’s obligation to government.

We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul teaches us an important lesson in Romans 16:3-12. As we are looking unto Jesus, we must be faithful in the matter of giving loving appreciation to those who serve.

How do we reconcile these two statements of the Gospel writers. Luke records that the Savior will bring peace. Matthew quotes Jesus saying, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

We should desire to please our heavenly Father as Jesus pleased the Father. When Jesus instructed his disciples to pray he told them to begin their prayer by saying Our Father which art in heaven (Matthew 6:9). Our heavenly Father is infinitely greater than the best possible earthly father.