How should I understand God as Abba Father?

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.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The familial term Abba Father is not used in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them to address God as Father: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). That God is Father connotes an intimate connection. A child-father relationship is unique and has implications for both parties. For example, among other things, fathers care for, provide for, and train their children.
• We did not earn our status as adopted children (John 1:12). Before God created the world, He knew the plan of redemption. We have been made righteous by His grace (Ephesians 2:1–10), and only by His grace God has chosen to include us as His family.
• When He brought us into His family, God gave us full rights. We are not viewed as guests but as family. Therefore, God not only forgives us but makes things known to us. He reveals His plan to us in as much as we are able to handle it, just as a father reveals things to his growing child at the appropriate developmental level (John 15:15–17; 1 Corinthians 2:10–16).
• God speaks to us as a good father speaks to his children. God makes Himself available to us. We can approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–25).
• We also have an inheritance, one that is guaranteed to us (1 Peter 1:3–9). We are a permanent part of God's family.
• As His children, we need not fear approaching God in prayer. We pray to our Father, knowing that He is King, but also knowing that He loves us and calls us His own (Matthew 6:9–13).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God cares for us as a good father cares for his children. We belong to God as a child belongs to a father. The family name of God has been granted to believers. Our salvation is secure in Him. Our earthly life is secure in Him. We can approach Him as we would a gentle father, with familial closeness mixed with respect. God does all of this "to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:12, 14). As His children, believers represent God to the world. Just as human children are a product of their families and their behavior often reflects on their families, so does ours on God (1 John 4:7–11). Many struggle with the concept of God as father. Earthly fathers fail their children. Even those who are good by human standards are not perfect. Sadly, there are many fathers who are abusive and neglectful. These men are not a reflection of who God is as Father. God is the perfect Father. He does not disappoint like our earthly fathers do. He does not abuse or shame. He disciplines us in love (Hebrews 12:7–11). Although He deserves, and even demands, respect, He is also incredibly loving and intimately personal. He knows our needs, and He supplies them (Matthew 6:31–33; Hebrews 13:5–6). We can confidently come to Him with our needs.

UNDERSTAND

• Through Christ, believers are adopted into God's family and can call Him "Abba Father," signifying both intimacy and respect.
• As our Father, God provides for our needs and reveals His plans to us, demonstrating His loving and intimate relationship with us.
• Believers have a secure inheritance in God's family and can confidently approach Him.

REFLECT

• How does understanding God as your "Abba Father" influence your sense of identity and security in your daily life?
• How can you cultivate a deeper, more intimate relationship with God as your Father, knowing He cares for you as a loving father?
• How can the concept of God being your Father shape the way you handle challenges or difficult situations, knowing you are cared for and provided for?

ENGAGE

• What implications does God’s role as "Abba Father" have for understanding the doctrine of adoption and its significance in the believer's spiritual journey?
• How does the concept of God as a perfect Father address and counteract the impact of negative experiences with earthly fathers, and what does this mean for our relationship with God?
• How does the reality that believers all have God as Father impact our relationships with one another?