Adopted

Over the years, what have your children called you? Mommy? Daddy? Mother? Father? Mom-mom? Pop-pop? Grandma? Grandpa? Mimi? Pappy? Your first name? According to Paul, “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”There is something so special about the fact that we get to call God “Abba.” "Abba" is the Aramaic word for “father;” and since Jesus spoke Aramaic, it is possible that “Abba” was one of the first words he learned as a child. But more than simply meaning “father,” it indicates a closeness that is more akin to “Daddy,” or “Papa.” Jesus referred to his Father this way in prayer (Mark 14:36). But what is truly incredible is that we are also able to speak to God in this way! As Romans 8 puts it, by the Spirit of God we cry, “Abba.” As a result of our union with Christ, we are children, heirs, and co-heirs. We can have confidence as we approach the throne of God!As we gather together for worship this week, may we be reminded that because of the Lord’s obedience (and by the power of the Holy Spirit), the one whom Jesus called "Abba" is our "Abba" as well. May we choose to live in the Holy Spirit with the assurance that no matter how often our doubts try to talk us out of faith, or no matter how much we are bothered by our unworthiness; we can say to ourselves over and over again: “I belong to God!”Grace & Peace, Pastor Aaron