June 20, FATHER!
"But you received the Spirit of adoption, and we cry out 'Abba Father'."
Romans 8:15
If there is one verse in the entire Bible, other than John 3:16, that would radically transform your life if you were to truly understand the message, Romans 8:15 would be that verse. While I realize this could be said about every statement in the Bible, this verse demonstrates such a simple meaning that I fear the simplicity causes one to truly miss the impact. So, let’s make the effort this moment not to miss this truth.
Adoption. From the scriptures, the Greek terminology offers as the literal meaning of adoption, “legally made a son or daughter.” My wife and I have adopted three beautiful girls. Our first daughter was adopted right at 48 hours old. Our second daughter, three years later, was adopted right at five weeks old. And, thirteen years later, our third daughter was adopted right at one year of age. With each adoption, there is a miraculous backstory that truly demonstrates their God intended arrival into our arms. With each adoption, there is a distinct ethnicity and heritage. With each adoption, there is the uniqueness of each precious child. Nonetheless, the similarity is powerful: each child was legally and rightly made to be ours. Adoption says, “I chose you and you are mine; there is no cost too great to assure that you are mine.” While this sounds as if I am describing our approach with each of our precious daughters (and that is most certainly what we said for each), I am actually summarizing God’s heart toward you, proven through this incredible miracle known as “our spiritual adoption.”
God spared no cost to assure that you are His. He adopted you and made you His own through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. When you placed your faith in Jesus, you became a son or daughter of the “Most High.”
The Spirit of Adoption. We are given the Spirit of adoption. Through the Holy Spirit active in our lives, we are supernaturally given the position as “adopted”, as we are indeed confirmed as sons and daughters of God. The Holy Spirit confirms in our spirit. This is such a definite miracle. Our daughters are now age 24, 20, and 8. And, they are as much our daughters at this present moment as they were at day one. For, the confirmation of adoption is more than just a legal binding at birth. There is this unseen and unspoken bond that far transcends any measure of explanation. O how we love them. And, we cherish every moment we can have with them. And the Spirit of adoption displays this same reality in our spiritual adoption by God, our Father. You are God’s child. He loves you. This is supernaturally confirmed.
Abba Father. The term “Abba,” is the Aramaic equivalent for “Father.” The expression is one of endearment and entreaty, as taken from the natural impulse of children to repeat their beloved expression of “Father.” And, because of our spiritual adoption, if we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, God is our Abba. His desire is that we live in this endearment and never grow tired of this entreaty. For, the Scripture says we cry out, “Abba.”
So, today, I pray you are living in the reality of your Abba Father, the God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that you are living in the reality of both endearment and entreaty. I pray that you truly know Him as Abba. I pray you feel that close to Him, or even closer than you have ever experienced with your natural father.
Today, ask God to grow you in your endearment with Him as Abba. And live out that endearment with your entreaty – go to Him constantly as “Abba.” Depend upon Him moment by moment. He is there. You have an Abba. He loves you. Go forward today and live loved, for you are indeed.
Be blessed.
READ
Read Romans 8:15-17 and celebrate the relationship with your Abba Father.
