Lesson for July 26, 2026 — Our Spiritual Assets, Lesson 20

Indwelling of God, the Father

Most Christians know when they trusted Christ as their Savior that God the Holy Spirit came to indwell them. However, many Christians do not realize that at the same time God the Father and God the Son also came to indwell them. Each member of the Trinity has a specific purpose for indwelling believers.

God the Father indwells us for a purpose. There are no direct statements in Scripture to tell us exactly what this purpose encompasses. Therefore, we will need to examine the role of the Father in relation to the Son, the Holy Spirit, and believers. (John 14:23; Ephesians 4:6; II John 9)

How can human beings understand the infinite Persons of the Godhead and their purpose for indwelling us? One method that God the Holy Spirit uses to reveal this truth to us is the use of language of accommodation. Anthropomorphism and anthropopathism are two such methods. Anthropomorphism ascribes to God portions of human anatomy that He does not possess (hands, eyes, feet). Anthropopathism ascribes to God human feelings, emotions, and thoughts that He does not possess (hate, anger, wrath). This language of accommodation gives insight to God’s divine character, function, decisions, actions, and policies by means of analogy. By using this method, God gives the human mind a frame of reference for understanding Him.

Various terms that are used for each member of the Trinity help us to understand their role within the Godhead. The term “Father,” for example, is an understandable term for human beings. Father describes the relationship between the first Person of the Trinity (the Father) and the second Person (Jesus Christ) of the Trinity and also defines a believer’s family relationship with God. (Galatians 4:6-7)

The Bible always designates the father as the head of the household. In the same manner, God the Father is the ultimate in fatherhood and is supreme over all things. The title “Father” demonstrates to us that the first person of the Trinity possesses absolute authority and was the designer of the plan for humanity. (I Corinthians 8:6, 11:3; John 14:24; Ephesians 1:1-14, 4:6)

In eternity past, God the Father planned and designed all that exists. He planned the creation of the universe and the creation of man. He set the boundaries of the seas and set mankind over His creation. His plan called for mankind to be treated in grace, and He planned the salvation solution for mankind. The Father is not greater in degree or quality than the other members of the Godhead.

One title that clearly points out the use of the various roles is “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 1:3, 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; I Peter 1:3) This title indicates the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Father. This relationship has always existed. (John 17:5,24) The Son is not only the focal point of the Father’s plan; He is the revelation of the Father. (John 1:18)

We see in this relationship the differences in the function of two members of the Godhead, the Father and the Son. In order to fulfill the plan of the Father, the Son became humanity and subjected Himself to the will of the Father. This was done for our benefit, so that Christ could go to the Cross as the payment for sin. (Philippians 2:6)

Phrases such as “His only begotten Son” must be understood in light of Christ’s function and mission on earth. This mission was carried out by the unique Person of the universe (the God-Man), Jesus Christ. He alone was qualified to be judged for the sins of all mankind, which was accomplished on the Cross. (Hebrews 9:16,28; I John 3:5)

Before Jesus departed this earth, He said that He would pray to the Father and that the Father would send the Holy Spirit. God the Father, functions as the ultimate authority over the Son and the Holy Spirit though they are all coequal and coeternal. It therefore makes perfect sense that the Father would give the command for the Holy Spirit to be sent to permanently indwell believers. (John 14:16,17,26; 15:26; 16:7, 12-14)

When Jesus made the statement that the Holy Spirit would be sent, He called Him another Comforter. Jesus was the Comforter while on earth. Comforter is an interesting word in Greek, which is “parakletos,” and means “to call to one’s side or called to one’s aid.” Its common use in Greek was in a courtroom to denote the counsel for the defense or an advocate. The word “another” is “allos” in Greek, meaning another of the same kind, signifying that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are one in essence and attributes.

All believers of all time are related to God the Father, the Author of our salvation. (Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:5, 3:14-15, 4:6) God is not the Father of all mankind. (John 8:42,44) God becomes our Father by faith in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:26)

This relationship shows the role of God the Father towards His children. As believers, we can call God our Father, and like loving human fathers, our Heavenly Father provides what is best for His family. (Matthew 7:11; Romans 8:15) Our blessings on earth and in eternity are because of the family relationship with our Father. No family relationship with the Father means no eternal life, and no accompanying blessings. (I Peter 1:4)

Everything that we possess as believers is provided by the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. As a guarantee to us of the Father’s eternal provision, God the Father indwells every believer. The Father is with us constantly to grant blessings beyond compare and above our imagination. He constantly pours out life support blessings to all believers and greater blessings to those who are advancing in the Christian Way of Life. The Father indwells us in order to watch over and protect us, as any good father would do. (James 1:17-18)

The Father indwells us to assure us of His love and care. As a loving Father, He is concerned with our welfare and continually shows His love for us. Like a good Father, He occasionally must discipline His children in order to help them stay within His will. The Father’s correction is always for our good, our benefit. (John 14:21; 15:8-10; 17:26; Hebrews 12:5-11)

The Father indwells us to guard us from the world system and to glorify Jesus Christ in our lives. Christ prayed for all believers. He did not pray that we would be taken out of this world, but that the Father would safeguard us while we were in the world. Jesus also prayed that He would be glorified through us and that we would share His joy. Jesus prayed that believers would be sanctified through the truth, which is Bible doctrine.