which way are you approaching God?
Last week, we looked at how Jesus’ teaching us to call God our Father was revolutionary. That leads us to the next question, though: how are you approaching God?
In general, you can either approach God like you’re in a business relationship with Him (God is my boss) or a family relationship (God is my Father). While these two sound somewhat similar, they lead to entirely different kinds of relationships.
when God is your boss
When you approach God like a boss, you’ll come to Him:
Based on your performance: You’ll like me because I’m great at my job!
In a transactional mindset: I did what you asked, so what’s in it for me?
Obeying out of duty: I didn’t want to show up for work today but I had to.
Anxious and insecure when you’re together: I hate spending time in his office…I’m always worried I’m going to slip up and he’ll find out what I did.
Competing with others: He should like me more than everyone else…I do so much more for Him!
Either feeling angry: I’ve done so much…I deserve more money and a promotion!
Or guilty: I’ve messed up so often I know I’m going to get fired this time!
We’ve all had these experiences and thoughts with our human bosses, but we take the same attitude towards God, all because we’re trying to approach Him based on our merit: I perform for you, so you need to give me the good life I deserve!
when God is your father
But when you’re adopted into God’s family and see Him as your Father, the relationship is different from a boss/employee. Instead, you’ll come to Him:
Based on Jesus’ performance: I’m good at obeying you, but I know the reason I’m accepted is that you see me through Jesus’ performance and not my own.
Focused on His grace: I’m here because of your love for me, not because I deserve it.
In a relational mindset: I’ve made lots of mistakes but I know that my Father will never get rid of me.
Safe and secure when you’re together: I like spending time with my Father, because even if something comes up, I know He’s just trying to help me grow.
Obeying out of love: I’m so thankful God has adopted me into His family that I want to give my life to Him in gratitude!
Feeling both grateful: I can’t believe the God of the universe chose me to be a part of His family!
And hopeful: Life isn’t perfect at the moment, but if God has done this much for me already, I trust what He’s going to do in the future.
I hope you see how much of a difference there is between these two approaches toward God. We all naturally want to approach God as a boss, since it allows us to control Him through our performance.
Grace is a hard pill to swallow, but it’s so necessary if you want to ever experience real peace and intimacy with your Heavenly Father.
In love He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. — Ephesians 1:5-6
If you’d like to think more about this topic, I’ve always found this chart so thought-provoking and helpful. It uses slightly different categories but it’s really good!
