Christian Living

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Abba

This Syriac or Chaldee word is found three times in the New Testament (Mark 14:36; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6), and in each case is followed by its Greek equivalent, which is translated "father." It is a term expressing warm affection and filial confidence. It has no perfect equivalent in our language. It has passed into European languages as an ecclesiastical term, "abbot."
—Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

6 And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [ Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!
Gal 4:6 (AMP)

Do you cry out to God in this way? Is Abba Father the way you see God? For most of us the answer is no. We grow up under the impression that God is some old guy dressed in white and just waiting for us to screw up. I felt this way at one time but several years ago the following scripture greatly changed my entire thought process about God.

7 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? 11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
Matt 7:7-11 (AMP)

I know how much I love my children and I would die for them without a second thought. If I being human and rotten at the core love my children this much; how much does God who is perfect and has already given His only son for me love me? Why do we ever worry about anything? Can’t God do anything for us? Won’t He do anything for us? I think our perception of God is greatly flawed and this is due in part to satans’ influence on our world. He wants us to think of God in the wrong way so we will live in defeat. Also he wants us to distrust God. Remember in Genesis when satan said to Eve, “You will not surely die.” God had told Adam and Eve on the day you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good an evil you will surely die. Satan cast the seed of doubt in Eves’ mind and she believed the lie and sinned.

I want you to think of your child. Just stop and close your eyes and think of every smile and dimple on that beautiful face. Now, think of all the joy that child has brought into your life. God looks at you the same way only with a more perfect love than you could ever have for your children.

Can you even begin to imagine sending your only child to die for someone else? No, you can’t and neither can I. He did!!!! So, how much does He love us? The only answer I can give is THE CROSS.

When you pray, go to God as a child goes to a loving father and not an angry God. When your child disobeys you, do you shun him and push him away? No, of course you don’t; you discipline him as any good parent would, but you still love him with all your might. See God like this and cry out Abba Father and it will change every aspect of your life, especially your walk with him.

God Bless

DeWayne C. Bricker

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