Daily Digest: Capstone Capsule

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ABBA, FATHER” – Romans 8:15

To glorify the God of Impact is to celebrate ABBA FATHER: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ABBA, FATHER” (Rom.8:15). What an amazing privilege, what a holy honour it is to call the Almighty God, “Daddy…my Father…Abba, Father”! Conscious of the gorge between the peerlessly holy God and sinful mortals, pious Jews dared not address God as Ab (Hebrew) or Abba (Aramaic for Daddy), but Jesus removed all barriers, referred to God as His Father, and inviting us His followers to call Him “Father.” He taught us to pray as follows: “Our Father who is in heaven…” (Lk.11:2a). He has also put His Spirit in us, to be able to confidently call God “Abba, Father”!

Interestingly, the first recorded words spoken by the Boy Jesus to His earthly parents, were these: “…Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about MY FATHER’S business?” (Lk.2:49). In John’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus referred to God as His Father more than one hundred and fifty times! “Abba, Father” was the Son’s anguished heart-cry in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mk.14:36). Galatians 4:6 also affirms: “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, ABBA, FATHER.” The Spirit of adoption as Sons in Christ has jettisoned every spirit of bondage and fear, and emboldened us to cry out, “Abba, Father”: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (v.14).

Fatherhood implies Sonship. The New Covenant amply describes Believers in Christ as sons of God: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (Jh.1:12). The apostles recognized the Fatherhood of God: “Grace to you and peace from GOD OUR FATHER…” (Rom.1:7a; 1Cor.1:3: 2Cor.1:2); “Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our Lord Jesus Christ, the FATHER of mercies and God of all comfort” (2Cor.1:3). 2 Corinthians 6:18, affirms: “I will be a FATHER to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters…” Beloved, the Father of Israel is our Father. The Father of Jesus is our Father. No earthly father can measure up to the paternal excellence of Abba, Father!

Addressing God as “Abba, Father,” we can be absolutely dependent on Him, warming up to His tender affection, embrace, and intimacy. We can playfully run to Him as children to Daddy, yet offer Him the highest respect and obedience. We no longer carry the spirit of fearful slaves, but of adopted sons, in the warm embrace of the Father’s bosom for all of Time and Eternity!