“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?” (Malachi 2:10, KJV).

ABSTRACT

Exploring the profound theological intersection between the Lord’s Prayer and the Decalogue, this article examines how the invocation of God as Father necessitates an exclusive loyalty to Him. By analyzing the relationship between divine paternity and the First Commandment, we uncover that true spiritual dependence precludes the worship of self or material idols. The text illuminates how acknowledging the Creator as our Father not only demands total surrender but inherently dismantles barriers between individuals, fostering a unified community rooted in humility. Through the lens of Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy, we discover that the love which invites us to call Him Father is the same love that requires we have no other gods before Him.

A CALL TO DIVINE RECOGNITION

We explore the profound implications of Matthew 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9, KJV), in light of the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3, KJV). Examining these passages through the lens of biblical principles, we recognize God as our loving Father and emphasize the importance of humility and unity among us. This exploration applies to everyone, regardless of background, as we are all children of the same Creator. “God is our Father, who loves and cares for us as His children; He is also the great King of the universe” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 106, 1896). “The Lord has a right to the undivided service of those whom He has created and whom He has purchased” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 220, 1909). “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1, KJV). “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” (Isaiah 64:8, KJV). How does acknowledging this divine paternity fundamentally alter our perception of ownership and self?

WHOM DO WE RELY ON? OUR CREATOR!

Addressing God as “Our Father” acknowledges a vital truth: we are His children, which serves as a declaration of our complete dependence on Him. Ellen G. White wrote, “In calling God ‘Our Father,’ we acknowledge that all we have and are belong to Him. We are His by creation and redemption” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 105, 1896). This understanding fosters a spirit of humility, reminding us that our talents, resources, and very lives are gifts from Him. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17, KJV). “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28, KJV). The inspired pen further clarifies our position, noting, “The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love that He has to us; for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 104, 1896). A passage from the Testimonies reminds us, “We are to look to God as a child looks to a trusting father, and to ask of Him the things that we need” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 202, 1882). How can we boast or elevate ourselves above others when everything we possess originates from our Heavenly Father, and how does this dependence shape our exclusive loyalty to Him?

WHO DEMANDS LOYALTY? THE ONE GOD!

The first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3, KJV), reinforces the exclusive nature of our relationship with God. Scripture mandates, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5, KJV). It is not enough to simply acknowledge God as Father; we must also reject any competing allegiances, which means rejecting the idols of self-reliance, material possessions, worldly success, or any other thing that takes priority over our relationship with God. “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10, KJV). Sr. White warns us regarding divided hearts: “No outward shrines may be visible, there may be no image for the eye to rest upon, yet we may be practicing idolatry” (Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 126, 1958). Furthermore, the Spirit of Prophecy instructs, “Whatever shall draw away the heart from God must be given up” (Steps to Christ, p. 44, 1892). We must constantly examine our hearts and ask ourselves: What truly holds my devotion? What do I turn to in times of trouble? Where do I place my trust? Why is the Fatherhood of God inseparable from His command for exclusive worship?

WHY TRUST HIM? HE IS OUR FATHER!

The concepts of God as “Our Father” and the prohibition against other gods are inextricably linked, as recognizing God as our Father implies a relationship of love, trust, and obedience that demands our undivided loyalty. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13, KJV). As we call God “Our Father,” we are reminded of the first commandment, which calls us to have no other gods before Him, signifying a call to exclusive allegiance and to placing our trust in Him alone. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37, KJV). In Steps to Christ, we read, “He desires that we shall regard Him, not as the tyrannical judge, but as a Father who delights to see His children take hold of His strength, and accept the help He alone can give” (Steps to Christ, p. 105, 1892). A prophetic voice once wrote, “The Father’s presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world” (The Desire of Ages, p. 356, 1898). This loving invitation from our Father encourages us to run to Him in times of need. How does this vertical relationship transform our horizontal relationships with one another?

HOW DO WE LIVE? AS ONE FAMILY!

Calling God “Our Father” emphasizes our shared identity as members of His family, where we are brothers and sisters united by our common parentage. “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6, KJV). By calling God ‘our Father,’ we recognize all His children as our brethren; we claim no higher position than the rest, but humble ourselves before Him. “No soul should place another where God should be” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 143, 1900). This understanding should foster a spirit of unity and humility within the community, as we strive to treat each other with love, respect, and compassion. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10, KJV). Through inspired counsel we are told, “God is the Father of all, and Christ is the Redeemer of all; the color of the skin, the birth, the rank, the wealth, make no difference to God” (The Southern Work, p. 12, 1901). Sr. White also noted, “The secret of unity is found in the equality of believers in Christ” (The Review and Herald, December 22, 1891). How can we build walls of division when we are all part of the same family, and what acts of love does this theology compel us to perform?

WHAT DRIVES HIS LAW? DIVINE LOVE!

God’s love is the driving force behind both His role as our Father and His command to have no other gods before Him, as His love is evident in His desire for an exclusive relationship with us. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, KJV). The scriptures declare, “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9) and “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3), while Sr. White’s writings illuminate this love, stating, “In calling God ‘Our Father,’ we acknowledge that all we have and are belong to Him. We are His by creation and redemption” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 105, 1896). God’s fatherhood expresses His intimate care and provision for us, while the first commandment safeguards this relationship from competing loyalties that could diminish our trust in Him. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, KJV). A passage from Testimonies for the Church reminds us, “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses” (The Desire of Ages, p. 668, 1898). He knows that true joy and fulfillment come from a life centered on Him. How do we translate this understanding into daily practice within our congregation?

HOW DO WE ACT? WITH PURE LOVE!

Personally, consistently reflecting on God as Father brings a deep sense of peace and security, reminding us that we are never truly alone but have a loving Father who cares for us. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isaiah 32:17, KJV). As a community, we must strive to embody this understanding in our interactions with one another, rejecting any form of prejudice, discrimination, or elitism that divides us. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, KJV). Sr. White instructs, “Christ is the center to which all should be attracted; for the nearer we approach the center, the closer we shall come together in feeling, in sympathy, in love, growing into the character and image of Jesus” (Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 259, 1958). Additionally, we read, “When we really believe that God loves us and means to do us good we shall cease to worry about the future” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 101, 1896). We should embrace our shared identity as children of God, working together to build a community of love, acceptance, and mutual respect. Let us remember that we are all on this journey together, striving to live lives that are pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

Self-Reflection Questions

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into the reality of God’s Fatherhood to eliminate the subtle idols of worry and self-reliance?

How can we adapt the concept of exclusive allegiance to the First Commandment to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, ensuring they see it as an invitation to love rather than a restriction?

What are the most common misconceptions about God as a “jealous” Father in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant examples of the “One Family” concept, breaking down social or cultural barriers to reveal the unity of the Spirit?

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