One of the mistakes we make is viewing our relationship with the Father as merely a religious experience instead of an exciting family relationship. When you were born again, you were not born into a religion. You were born into a family, the family of God! God is now your Father, and you are a son or daughter. It’s so simple. Paul said:

2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ

It’s so simple a child can understand it. It doesn’t take a great intellect or deep wisdom to be “born again” (although a person of great intellect or wisdom can be “born again”). Even a person who is mentally deficient can be “born again” because of the simplicity of the Gospel.

By accepting Christ, you are translated out of Satan’s kingdom, and born into God’s family. You must now look to God as your heavenly Father and approach Him in a family manner, not a religious manner.

When you come as a family member, you can have faith for great gifts from God, because you understand He loves and cares about you. He’s not up there just sitting behind His judge’s bench, waiting to flatly say “no” to every request you make. He is your Father. You can go right into the family room.

John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many mansions…

In the original language this Scripture says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms.” Envision yourself in the family room sitting by the fireplace with God, your Father. Close your eyes. Relax and enjoy your time chatting with Him.

Family Relationship

God is more interested in a family-like relationship with you than a religious experience. The Old covenant seemed to be full of boundaries, rules, do’s, don’ts, and demands. Under our new covenant, God still has boundaries for us, but He doesn’t want us to feel like we’re always on “thin ice” around him.

One of the boundaries in our home when my children were young was my lower level office. I had bookcases, books, tapes, a gigantic desk, and various other office supplies. We had a rule in our home that “you don’t come down and bother Daddy when he’s studying or working.” I liked to get into the flow of things when I was studying and didn’t want to be disturbed.

Occasionally though, I would hear little footsteps on the stairs. Glancing up from my work, U would see my children peeking around the corner, with big guilty looks on their faces.

“Daddy, can we work down here with you?”

They didn’t want anything; they just wanted to be in my presence. I usually forgot about the boundary and just enjoyed that relationship with them. Sometimes they would play quietly by themselves in my office while I was working. They didn’t want to jibber-jabber and didn’t want anything from me. They simply wanted to be with me. It blessed me.

And it blesses your Father in Heaven when you want to be in His presence. The Bible says:

Psalm 16:11
In thy presence is fullness of joy…

Many times, I’ll turn on some musical praise music, and just worship God and enjoy His presence.

He’s not a grouchy old character, but a loving, heavenly Father who loves me, wants me to succeed, and desires that I be fruitful in life. You should try it sometime. Remember, we are not a part of religion; we are part of a family. God is the Father and we are all brothers and sisters. We err by viewing our relationship with the Father as a religious experience instead of a family relationship.