what does the bible say?
Several passages reveal that believers are God’s children. Romans 8:14–17 says, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Abba is an Aramaic (or, at least, Semitic) word for "Father." There is some debate as to the connotations of the word. Many have translated it as "Daddy," denoting a small child's label for his or her father. Recent scholars have stated that Abba is not a childish word but a term of respect as used by an adult child. Jesus called God His “Abba” (Mark 14:36). This still certainly makes the word familial, but it also contains a sense of reverence and respect. Whatever the case, for God to be our Abba Father means that He is our Father. The term carries with it a sense of closeness. Followers of Christ are adopted into God's family; we are made His children (John 1:12). Ephesians 1:3–14 describes many details of what it means to be His children including receiving every spiritual blessing, redemption, forgiveness, an inheritance, and the seal of the Holy Spirit who guarantees everything God promises.