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."
The Lord is your Abba Father. The title “Abba” means that He is your intimate “Papa” in Heaven. The unbeliever only knows the Lord through the greatness of His power and judgment. Some believers only relate to the Lord as the Father of Heaven who answers their prayers. Other believers worship the Father because, as Jesus said, “The Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23). But you can know the Father personally by His intimate name, Abba Father. Just as an earthly father welcomes his child and hugs her, so you can go to your intimate “Papa” for fellowship.
O my Father, originally I loved You for forgiving my sin. Now I love You for Your intimate love to me. Thank You for accepting me into Your family.
Because the Lord is your Abba Father, you don’t relate to Him by just keeping commandments or obeying orders. You were not given an impersonal legal adoption. You are a member of the Father’s family; you belong to Him, and He belongs to you. As your heavenly Father’s child, you have all legal rights to His heavenly family. As your Father’s child, you are hugged by His arms. Don’t worry; don’t strive; just rest.
Lord, it feels good to feel good in Your arms. I feel comfortable to have the security of Your protection. But I don’t want to know You just to feel good; I want to know You—Abba—for Yourself. I want to love You and spend time with You. Amen.
Go Deeper: Romans 8:14-17
You can be intimate with the heavenly Father.
