Believers know God as Father through the union with Christ and the experience of new birth.
The relationship believers have with God as 'Father' is established through their union with Jesus Christ. Scriptures such as Ephesians 1:5 elaborate that we are adopted as children of God 'by Jesus Christ' according to His will. Furthermore, John 1:12-13 explains that those who believe in Christ are granted the right to be called children of God, being born not of human will but by God. Through this union with Christ, believers can genuinely refer to God as 'our Father', an identity that is unique to those who belong to His elect. This emphasizes both the grace of adoption and the transformative power of regeneration.
Scripture References:
Ephesians 1:5, John 1:12-13, John 8:42, Romans 9:6-8
Commentary