Father God as the Source of Our Life (Internal) VS Father God as the Source of Our Living (All Things, External)

 

Father God as the Source of Our Life (Internal) VS Father God as the Source of Our Living (All Things, External)

John 1:12-13 "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

1 John 3:1 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."

Romans 11:36 "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

1 Corinthians 8:6 "Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."

 

Aspect	Father God as the Source of Our Life (Internal)	Father God as the Source of Our Living (All Things, External)
Meaning	Emphasizes God's role as the giver of life	Emphasizes God's role as the origin of all things
Distinction	Focuses on the personal life relationship with God	Focuses on God's sovereignty over all creation and living
Explanation	God is not only the Creator but also the Father who gave us life	God is the unique source, initiator, and originator
Example	Believers are reborn with God's life,  becoming children of God	In church life, everything should originate from Father God's will and plan
Application	Cultivate an intimate father-son relationship with God, enjoy the divine life	Seek and obey God's guidance and will in life and service
Relevant Scriptures	John 5:26 "For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself." John 14:20 "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." John 20:17 "Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."'" Romans 8:15-16 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."	John 7:29 "I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me." John 13:3 "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God," John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" 2 Timothy 1:9 "Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began," Matthew 15:13 "He answered, 'Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.'"

 

This table compares two concepts: "Father God as the Source of Our Life (Internal)" and "Father God as the Source of Our Living (All Things, External)". Let me explain these further:

 

l   Internal Source of Life: This concept emphasizes the life relationship between believers and God. It points out that God is not only our Creator but also the Father of our spiritual life. Through regeneration, we receive God's life and become His children.

l   External Source of Living: This concept emphasizes God's role as the origin of all things. It indicates that in our life and service, God should be the sole source and initiator. We should seek and follow His will and plan.

 

Although these two concepts have distinctions, they both emphasize our dependence on God and the importance of establishing a close relationship with Him. In practical application, this means that we should not only rely on God for our spiritual life but also seek His guidance in every aspect of our daily lives.

 

*Please refer to the 2024 Summer Live Training - Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (1) Message Eleven: In the Father's House - Living in the Place Prepared for Us through Christ's Death and Resurrection