Tag: Abba
Abba, Father!
Scripture reading for November 20th: Romans 6-8
Fathers are important people in the lives of their children. God has given fathers the responsibility of modeling for their children the character of God, the Father. They are to teach their children how to love, serve, and give their lives to God and others.
“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 invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and we are adopted into the family of God. The Holy Spirit in us confirms that we are children of God and our inner man cries, “Abba”, which is the Greek word for “Daddy”. 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, who owns everything! He made the universe, stars, planets, and every living thing visible and invisible!
Paul stated that we will share in glory if we are 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. 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) Now that we are part of His family, we obediently submit to suffering to enter into glory!
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!
The working of the Spirit!
Scripture reading for July 23rd: Romans 8:9-23
The Holy Spirit works within the believer to produce life and peace. (Romans 8:6) One of the first things that He does is help each person who trusts Jesus Christ to know that they are a child of God. “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of son-ship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:14-16)
Before we were saved, we had an underlying fear of death. We knew that those who sinned deserved to die and would be judged. God made this evident to Jew and Gentile alike through the law and conscience. But in Christ, the fear of death is removed by the Spirit of Life. We are now adopted into God’s family through the Spirit and have an inner knowledge of God as our true Father in Heaven. We can even call him “Abba”, the Aramaic word for “Daddy”! We have two witnesses, our spirit and the Holy Spirit that we belong to God. This brings great joy and peace! Not only are we children, but heirs and co-heirs with Christ in the kingdom of our Father!
Suffering is in the package, however. If we belong to Christ, we will share in His sufferings while here on this earth as we await our full redemption. (Romans 8:17-18) In fact, Paul tells the Roman believers and us that all of creation is awaiting this future redemption. It is groaning in pains like that of a woman giving birth. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:22-23)
This suffering is nothing compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us! The best is yet to come! The Spirit is helping us and leading us to this time of complete redemption. He reassures us that we belong to God and encourages us in our suffering, revealing Christ’s glory and a vision of this glorious freedom when we receive our redeemed body!
Abba, Father!
Scripture reading for November 19th: 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 are afraid of them. 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, we are adopted into the family of God and made a part of that family. 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”. It is the affectionate title of a family member for their father! Remember Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9)
We become “co-heirs” with Christ in the Father’s family! (Romans 8:17) We have an inheritance from our Father’s estate and God owns everything visible and invisible! This truth is beyond comprehension with our natural mind! We must have revelation to begin to grasp what God has given us!
However, we will share in this glory only if we are willing to share in His sufferings. When Jesus lived on earth, he suffered temptations, persecution, physical torture, and death because of His willing obedience to the Father who loved Him. 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) Now that we are part of that family, we must obediently submit to a path of suffering to enter into glory!
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!
No longer a slave, but a son!
Scripture reading for September 18th: Galatians 3:23-4:31
Paul likened those under the law to slaves and prisoners. “But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:22-24) In fact, the Bible declares that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) It is by faith in Jesus Christ that we are justified. We can never be made righteous by our works. The law actually imprisons us because we cannot keep it.
But thanks be to God that through faith we are now adopted into God’s family! “You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who were baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ. Therefore there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29) Paul is telling these Galatians that they are no longer under the law or slaves of sin. They are now sons of God, and clothed with Christ. Their past identities no now longer are relevant. In Christ all are one new family. Christ is Abraham’s promised ‘Seed’ and from faith in Him, all are now heirs of God’s promises to Abraham.
Abraham had two sons. Ishmael was born of the slave woman, Hagar. Isaac was his child through Sarah by divine promise. These two sons were types of two covenants. One covenant, the law, was given at Mt. Sinai and brought slavery. Hagar stands for Mt. Sinai and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But Isaac was a child of promise, conceived by faith in God’s promise. We who trust in Christ are children of this free woman and born of the Spirit! There is conflict between the two even today! The main point of this teaching is that faith brings freedom and adoption while the law brings bondage and slavery. What an easy choice!
The working of the Spirit
Scripture reading for July 23rd: Romans 8:9-23
The Holy Spirit works within the believer to produce life and peace. (Romans 8:6) One of the first things that He does is help each person who trusts Jesus Christ to know that they are a child of God. “because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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.” (Romans 8:14-16)
Before we were saved, we had an underlying fear of death. We knew that those who sinned deserved to die and would be judged. God made this evident to Jew and Gentile alike through the law and conscience. But in Christ, the fear of death is removed by the Spirit of Life. We are now adopted into God’s family through the Spirit and have an inner knowledge of God as our true Father in Heaven. We can even call him “Abba”, the Aramaic word for “Daddy”! We have two witnesses, our spirit and the Holy Spirit that we belong to God. This brings great joy and peace! Not only are we children, but heirs and co-heirs with Christ in the kingdom of our Father!
Suffering is in the package, however. If we belong to Christ, we will share in His sufferings while here on this earth as we await our full redemption. (Romans 8:17-18) In fact, Paul tells the Roman believers and us that all of creation is awaiting this future redemption. It is groaning in pains like that of a woman giving birth. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:22-23)
This suffering is nothing compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us! The best is yet to come! The Spirit is helping us and leading us to this time of complete redemption. He reassures us that we belong to God and encourages us in our suffering, revealing Christ’s glory and a vision of this glorious freedom when we receive our redeemed body!