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What Would Homer Say?

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D'OH!

Seriously, would you not agree that there are moments in life that simply cry out for this expression? It sums up a surplus of emotions that rear their ugly heads when we do something completely stupid. It's during those moments we feel like the now beloved (and sometimes hated) family that put the "dys" in dysfunctional...The Simpsons. Apparently it took 18 years and 400 episodes, but the little town of Springfield has been transported into the big screen, and the opening question from producer Matt Groening is this:

What kind of sucker pays to see a movie of what he can get free at home?

D'OH!

As expected, the rest of the movie balances the usual formula of taking shots at corruption, corporate irresponsibility, and other social ills with one-liners and quips that are fired with rapid succession and deadly accuracy. And of course, Homer is the mouthpiece who sometimes expresses what we would love to say, but would never let out of our mouths.

I guess if you had to sum up and distill the essential elements of The Simpsons, it would come down to one word: family. As hyped up and messed up as they are, they find a way to stick together through the thick headedness of Homer and the thin bond of love that seems to hold them together. Case in point from the movie - for a time Bart decides that Homer has forsaken his own son for a pig, and he seeks to be adopted by his next door neighbor Ned Flanders. Things eventually work out, but for a time you feel like this could be the final break-up of the Simpson family unit.

Speaking of family units, did you know that you and I are in the same one? No, I probably haven't even met your folks, but if you've trusted Christ for salvation, I know your heavenly Daddy. And if you haven't trusted Christ, I know who your father is as well (more on that later).

Here's how I know all this stuff - the Bible explains it in amazing and specific detail:

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there's no room in your hearts for my message. I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father."

"Our father is Abraham!" they declared.

"No," Jesus replied, "for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father."

They replied, "We aren't illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father."

Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can't you understand what I am saying? It's because you can't even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him (John 8:34-44)

This is one of those 'whoa!' type stories from the Bible, because it shows us a truth about life we don't usually want to process. Basically this is an 'in your face' debate between Jesus and the prideful religious leaders of His day. Their argument was that they didn't need to listen to Jesus and follow Him because He was an illegitimate child (virgin birth - remember? But they didn't buy that one either).

So Jesus fires back the low down on how 'family' works in a spiritual sort of way, and He makes it very simple:

As soon as you follow me, and you will be adopted by the Father into His family forever...BUT, as long as you reject me, and you will have Satan as your father.

Ouch.

So the bad news is that those who've rejected Christ literally have the dad from hell, but those who have trusted Christ are adopted into a new family with a new daddy who will never leave us or forsake us. What Jesus is doing here is getting their attention by pointing out the consequences of rejecting Him. While it is true that God created us and loves us, at the same time when we turn our back on God and His offer of salvation, we follow the pattern of Satan, who turned his back on God at the beginning of time...kind of a "like father, like son" sort of thing.

So which family are you in? If Satan is your father (i.e. you are turning your back on God), I guarantee the dysfunction in that family makes the Simpsons look like poster children for a Christian organization. And if you've been adopted into God's family, don't let your former father whisper in your ear that your heavenly Father will ever ditch you or turn His back on you.

And, my brother or sister, if you do find yourself believing the devil's lie that God is a fickle Father whose emotions change as fast as Homer Simpson's...look in the mirror and repeat after me:

D'OH!!!

Head: What you need to know about this truth

According to Jesus, those who haven't trusted in Him for salvation are children of Satan. However, when a person trusts Christ as his or her only hope of salvation, he/she is adopted into God's family with a new Father who will never leave us or forsake us.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

As a child of God, you should feel secure in the fact that your heavenly Daddy completely cherishes you. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less.

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Take some time this week to read the letter1 below. Read it slowly, letting each verse sink in and help you understand more about how much your heavenly Father cares for you. Also, remember that Jesus has the right to tell unsaved people that they are children of the Devil, not us. Instead, tell them the wonderful news about how they can be adopted in to God's wonderful family.

My Child,

Not only can I hear you, but I know everything about you. (Psalm139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me, you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:27-28) For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you, when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth, and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 13:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41, 42, 44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1John 3:1) Simply because you are my child, and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48)

Every good gift that you receive, comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider, and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart, and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I, who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. (Romans 8:39-39) I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)¹

Love,

Your Heavenly Daddy

¹Adapted from www.fathersloveletter.com - used by permission.