Tag: Abba
Not a slave but a son!
Scripture reading for August 20: Galatians 4
“In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:3-7
According to Paul, anointed by the Holy Spirit, the world view of those outside the faith is one of slavery to the elementary principles of the world. Those in that slavery don’t necessarily look at their lives that way. The god of this world has deceived them to think of themselves as free to do whatever feels good to them. Those practicing Judaism also were in slavery to those same principles but their religion gave them hope through keeping the law of God through human effort. But by the works of the law, no human flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16) But God has provided a remedy to deliver those in slavery to this world and to human effort to be good.
God’s plan was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, in the form of human flesh, born of woman, and born under the law. Jesus Christ would suffer temptation from every elementary principle of this world and from the evil one, Satan. He would in the power of the Holy Spirit resist sin and then offer Himself as the Redeemer of all in slavery. He, the Firstborn Son, would defeat the slave master, Satan and send all who would believe in Him a gift from the Father, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God would bear witness inside each believer that they were no longer slaves, but sons of God through faith. “Abba! Father!” would be the cry of our reborn hearts as we were adopted back into the forever family of God!
In what ways do you now recognize that you were once a slave to the elementary principles of this world? How did you come to have a change in your world view and the need to make changes? Has religion ever been a hinderance to finding new birth and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Who cries “Abba!”?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us all from slavery. I once thought I was in control of my destiny but was really a slave. When I humbled my heart and acknowledged my slavery and sins, Jesus forgave me and I was filled with a new world view of sonship in God’s family! Praise Abba! Amen!
Children of God
Scripture reading for June 24: Romans 8
“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:12-17
Paul described those he wrote to and himself as debtors to God for the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit and salvation from sin and its penalty. The Holy Spirit now empowered them with true freedom. There was no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus concerning past sins or sins that may even now be committed. There was mercy and forgiveness available through Jesus Christ from the law of sin and it’s penalty of death and eternal separation from God. All believers are debtors to Jesus Christ, God the Father. There is nothing we can do to repay God, however, but to say “Thanks be to God!”
Paul plainly told these Roman believers about the wonderful Gift of the Holy Spirit that they had received as they repented of sin and trusted in Jesus Christ. They no longer were under bondage to their old sin nature that was bent on their death and destruction. They now were indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit Who would lead them in defeating the old nature. The Holy Spirit was producing eternal life, God’s very nature and life, in them. The Holy Spirit was a Spirit of adoption, bearing inner witness to each person that they were God’s child. In fact, the Spirit enabled each person to address God as “ABBA!” This word was an affectionate term meaning ‘Father’ or ‘Daddy.’ All believers are in the family of God and heirs of God’s gift of eternal life in abundance!
Have you ever felt that God didn’t care for you or want you in His family? How does this description of God’s provision of salvation through Jesus show His love to you? Have you felt the joy and freedom of knowing God as “Abba?”
Prayer: Abba! Father God! Thank You for Your great love demonstrated to me through the sacrifice of Your only Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the gift of forgiveness of sins and deliverance from condemnation. Thank You for adoption into Your forever family! Amen!
Abba! Father!
Scripture reading for November 19: Romans 6-8
God has given fathers the responsibility of modeling the character of God, the Father. They are to teach their children how to love, serve, and give their lives to God and others. Sin has marred this process so that many times fathers teach the opposite to their children. Children hate their fathers or in many instances don’t know their father or want to. In Romans 8, Paul teaches us about the new relationship that salvation brings with our heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit.
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:15-17
When we repent and invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We are adopted into the family of God. The Holy Spirit gives us a deep understanding that we are children of God and our inner man cries out, “Abba”, which is the Greek word for “Daddy”. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9) He told them that He only did what his Father showed Him to do. (John 5:19-20)
We become “co-heirs” with Christ in the Father’s family! (Romans 8:17) This means that we are in the will! We have an inheritance from our Daddy’s estate! God owns everything! He made the universe, stars, planets, and every living thing visible and invisible! He rules as King so we are heirs of the highest royalty! This truth is beyond comprehension with our natural mind! We must have revelation to grasp what God has given us! (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
There is one stipulation that is often overlooked: we must be willing to share in His sufferings. When Jesus lived on earth, He suffered temptations and overcame them by the Holy Spirit. He suffered persecution, physical torture, and even death because of His willing obedience to the Father Who loved Him and us. He loved us enough to endure the pain and shame of crucifixion so that we might be adopted into Father’s family! (Hebrews 12:1-2)
As you go through your day today, take time to talk to your “Abba” and tell Him how much you appreciate what He has provided! Take any inconvenience or suffering as opportunity to thank Him for the coming glory and your future eternal inheritance!
“Abba! Father!”: the cry of God’s Son
Scripture reading for March 27th: Galatians 4, Psalm 61, Proverbs 30
Galatians 4:3-7 “In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Paul, although a pious Jew, recognized that as a young child he was in slavery to the elementary principles of this world system. That is how all humans are born the first time. But at just the right time in the timing of God our Father, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world. He was born of a woman and grew up under the law as a Jew. He perfectly kept God’s law as an obedient Son. His purpose was to redeem all men and women and to free them from slavery to their flesh and the law by a promise of eternal life and forgiveness of sins through His sinless sacrifice on the cross. All who would believe the promise would receive the Gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit, Who would cry “Abba! Father!” in our heart.
Psalm 61:4-5 “Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings! (Selah) For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your Name.”
Prayer: Abba! Father! Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit I now can understand Your Word and plans. I know God as my “Abba”–Daddy. You have given me an inheritance of a dwelling place in Your eternal kingdom and full right of sonship. I trust every Word of my Father as Truth and seek to live a life that pleases You by faith in that Word. Amen!
Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every Word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His Words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
God will visit you!
Scripture reading for January 29th: Genesis 49:50, Galatians 4
Key Scriptures: Genesis 50:24-26 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will bring you up out of this land to the land that He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.”
Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Joseph had experienced birth into the covenant family of God and rejection by his brothers as they sold him into slavery. But God was with him and exalted him to be savior of his brothers and also the Gentile world of his day. As he was about to die, he gave a prophetic word concerning his brothers: “God will surely visit you.” He gave instructions for his bones: “You shall carry my bones from here.” Paul stated that we have all becomes “sons of God” through faith in Jesus Christ. God has visited us in Jesus Christ and He is coming again to take us out of here!
Faith confession and prayer: My spirit cries out by the Holy Spirit; “Abba! Father! Jesus is Lord!” Lord, help me to share the Gospel with all who will hear! Carry our bones out of here!
“Abba! Father!”
Scripture reading for August 20th: Galatians 4, Psalm 16, Proverbs 12
Key Scriptures: Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ are adopted into God’s forever family, the Church, as sons of God. The proof of this is the cry of the Holy Spirit within the believer “Abba! Father!” We are no longer slaves of sin and Satan, but truly free. The Holy Spirit enables us to confess this truth.
Faith Confession: I am adopted into God’s forever family, the Church, and now call God my “Abba, Father!” I have been set free from slavery to sin by faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is my Lord!
Proverbs 12:28 “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”
Not a slave, but a son!
Scripture reading for August 20th: Psalm 108-111, Galatians 4
Key Scriptures: Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Paul carefully explained God’s amazing plan to redeem those in slavery to sin under the law and it’s curse of death. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and born under the law. He identified with sinful men, but was Himself without sin for He perfectly kept God’s law. He did this to purchase with His sacrificial death the freedom of all who would believe on Him in faith. All who believe receive the Spirit of God who bears witness in our hearts that we are God’s children and heirs with Christ.
Psalm 108:3-5 “I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!”
Prayer: O Father, Your amazing love and faithfulness to us brings the joy of being adopted into Your great household! May Your glory be over all the nations as Your children share your love! Amen.
A son of God and Heir!
Scripture reading for August 19th: Galatians 4
Key scriptures for over-comers: Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
God’s timing is always perfect! At just the right time, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem those under the law of God and in slavery to sin. After paying for mankind’s sins on the cross of Calvary and raising from the dead by the Spirit of Holiness, Jesus and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of believers. This Gift of the Father testifies to us that we are now adopted ‘sons of God’ and heirs of the promises made to all who have faith. Why would anyone want to go back under the law and it’s condemnation? In Christ God has given us a full inheritance as His children!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers know the reality of becoming sons of God by faith in Jesus Christ and live a life of faith expecting the full inheritance of eternal life with God the Father! “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant placers; surely I have a delightful inheritance. . . .You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:6, 11)
Sons and Heirs of God!
Scripture reading for August 20th: Galatians 4
Those who by faith put their hope in Jesus Christ for salvation and forgiveness of sins are adopted into God’s family and become ‘Sons of God’. As a son has a right to the family estate, so we who believe now are heirs of God!
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. For if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-28) Paul was teaching the Galatians that in Christ there was no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile, male or female or slave or free people in their access to God as Father or to the inheritance promised to Abraham by faith. Christ has opened up God’s family to all who believe!
“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba”, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:4-7)
What is the inheritance of believers? God promised to be their Father and they His children! God promised them eternal life in His Holy Presence and access to Him! God gave the Holy Spirit as a down payment of the inheritance that now is ours by faith! The Spirit within us cries “Abba, Father!”
Law of the Spirit of Life!
Scripture reading for June 24th: Romans 8
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)
Paul explained that he found deliverance from the sinful nature and the condemnation of a life of sin through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was a man like us, but without sin. He was made to be a sin offering for sinful man to pay the penalty for our sins–through His death! Now, through the gift of the Spirit, (from God our Father), we have been declared righteous! This is the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead that now gives eternal life to our mortal bodies! (Romans 8:10-11)
Paul next explained that those who are set free from the law of sin and death now live by the Holy Spirit. They must allow the Spirit to lead them in the way of Jesus the Son. In fact, the Holy Spirit confirms that we are children of God, adopted into His family! “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:15-16)