Years ago I was part of a community service group that was trying to raise money by offering “Pictures with Santa”. I got to dress up as Santa Claus, and people would bring their small children to be photographed with Santa for a small fee.

It was interesting to see the different reactions from the kids. Some would run up to me, jump up on my lap and give me a big hug around the neck. Others would be so frightened that they would not come near me, no matter how much their parents tried to assure them it was okay. Some would even cry loudly and would not even look at me.

Have you ever noticed that people have similar reactions when it comes to facing God? Some willingly embrace the Father, while others shy away in fear. The first group sees him as loving and forgiving, while the second envisions a God of wrath who will cause them harm.

What is it that differentiates between the two groups? It’s faith.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!…”—1 John 3:1.