Have you ever described someone you cared about and said you loved them as if they were your parent, sibling, or child? You’d only use this description for people who are exceptionally important to you. (If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably also made this comparison – let’s be honest.)
God doesn’t just say you are like a son or daughter to him. He says you are his child! On top of that, he sent Jesus – his real, human son who walked the earth as a man – to die on the cross, taking the ultimate punishment that would clear the record of our sins.
The love of God far exceeds the love of a parent, but it’s the example we often give in comparison to understand what we mean to him. If you’ve had a strained relationship with a parent, this description might sting – but remember that, unlike people with real flaws and shortcomings, you have a Heavenly Father whose love is perfect.