Be warned against the Cult of Individuality

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“All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭27‬ ‭

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”‭‭ (John‬ ‭15‬:‭1)‬ 

“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭8‬)

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)

I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29)

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42)

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)

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THE NUMBER OF TIMES in the New Testament where Jesus referred God as His Father shows the exclusivity of His relationship with God. This exclusivity is unique. No prophet or leader in the past, or present, can claim such exclusivity for Christ is "the only begotten Son of God."

        A quick survey of the New Testament shows that Jesus referred God as His Father:

•         Matthew 18 times
•         Mark        1 time 
•         Luke        6 times
•         John:      25 times

        Even Paul, in his letter to Timothy, referred to God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Tim 1:2 

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? Hebrew 1:5

Even Peter in his letter referred to God the Father: 

For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”  2 Peter 1:17

Never once did he, John or Paul refer to God as 'my Father,' for that would deprive Christ of the exclusivity. 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 1 Kings 3:7

        Three references to 'My Father' appear throughout the whole of the book of Revelation when Christ referred to God. No angel nor any other human, including John, was bold enough to refer to God as their Father in an individualistic sense.

What is the point?

        Why such an extensive study on this matter which appears to be so petty? What difference does it make to the church when the teaching becomes pervasive? Here are the reasons for putting our theology right:

(1) We cannot elevate ourselves over and above our identity in the eyes of the Almighty God. In His eyes, we are nothing but His servants, who are, in fact, undeserving of His grace. 

The Lord said, 'Blessed are the poor in the spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.' (Matthew 5: 3).

So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:10) 

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18). Pride is the cause of Lucifer's fall. 

(2) Putting ourselves on par with Jesus means taking for granted the inclusivity being made co-heirs with Christ, thereby depriving Jesus of His exclusivity as the only begotten Son of God.

While we are indeed the children of God and made co-heirs with Christ by God's grace, it does not change a little about the exclusivity of Jesus' own claim to be the Son of God. The exlusivity of Jesus' Sonship (cf John 3:16 as 'the only begotten Son of God) is obvious from Matthew 11:27. 

As we have seen from the numerous references to God as 'My Father', this prerogative is only for the only begotten Son of God. 

Although we are made as co-heirs with Christ, we can never claim equality with Him.

For that reason, Paul writing in 1 Corinthians 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort..."

Even the psalmist addressed God as his God and his Lord. Never once did David refer to God as his Father. 

When the Lord taught the disciples to address God as 'Our Father,' He could have taught them to pray instead, 'God, my Father' if that was the intention. 

(3) We have to be warned against the "cult of individuality" which refers to "a cultural or societal trend that excessively promotes and values individual uniqueness, self-expression, and personal freedom, often at the expense of community, tradition, and collective well-being. 

"It emphasizes personal achievements, self-reliance, and the right to define one's identity independently of societal norms or expectations. This focus can lead to a sense of isolation, competition, and a weakening of social bonds as people prioritize their own interests and desires over communal responsibilities and relationships." (answer provided by Chat GPT).