All About The Abba!!!

ALL ABOUT THE ABBA...

Confronted with the choice of choosing between “Allah and Abba (the Christian equivalent of a loving Heavenly Father-Mark 14:36)”, a Pakistani Muslim Lady namely Bilquis Sheikh in acute depression (owing to failure of her marriage) some decades ago after receiving proper counselling from a devout Christian nurse “Dared to address Him (the Almighty) as her Father” for the first time...one pivotal night. That precise moment she walked straight into the loving embrace of her Heavenly Father much in the manner of a little girl jumping straight into the arms of a Doting Dad returning from office. Oh yes, at that point she bade goodbye to her depression what with the joy of the Holy Spirit filling her heart instantly. Where the Heavenly Father is, there is abundant joy (Psalm 16:11).

Her soul-stirring biography “I dared to call Him Father” has spiritually refreshed many a spiritual sojourner (including Yours Truly) trekking his way to the Heavenly City.

A discerning Bible student on careful scrutiny of the Scriptures would discover that not until Jesus the Saviour starts addressing the Almighty as the Heavenly Father in NT (the Greek word Pater meaning Father is repeated scores of times in NT...about 200 times) is the word “Father” used so extensively in connection with the Almighty-Devotee relationship. In all of OT Section the word Father to describe God is used only a few times (all of 15 times say the Biblical Scholars). At this point, it would be no exaggeration to say that the Saviour by His advent had virtually redefined the God-Man relationship.

In this message, Yours Truly is inspired to share different dimensions of “the spiritual Father-Child relationship”, which is so central to Christian life.

Procreation...

In the same way, our Earthly Fathers’ play a role in bringing us to life, our Heavenly Father too through His revitalizing Spirit gives us a brand new life supernaturally (John 1:12-13) the moment we place our trust in the redemption work completed by the Saviour on the Cross to save us from our sins.

In fact, the Greek word used for “seed” in 1 John 3:9 in the matter of a Christian’s “Sonship” and his new-found inclination toward “holiness” is “Sperma”....the root word for “Sperm” in English.

Proof...

An Earthly Father’s features (facial and emotional) are bound to be reflected in his offspring (eg...Adam and Seth-Gen 5:3). Ditto with a new Christian...if holiness is intrinsic to our Heavenly Father, His children too would reflect holiness (Eph 5:1)...which is all about being “separate” from the World (2 Cor 6:17-18). Here “separation” doesn’t mean “isolation” in the manner of Saffron-clad Sadhus’ confining themselves to snow-clad Himalayas’. However, it is all about not being tainted by the carnal World (James 1:27), even while living in it.

Protection...

No earthly father would allow any danger to befall his beloved children. Our Heavenly Father too would guard us under His protective wings (John 6:39/10:28-29) whatever be the enticement of the flesh, World or the Devil. Power is always granted from within to triumph over the inevitable spiritual dangers without (1 John 4:4).

Provision...

Which Earthly Father doesn’t delight in giving the best of the materially useful things to his children? Our Heavenly Father too doesn’t retract from giving His best to us in order we have a perfectly fulfilling life (Matt 6:33, 7:11/I Tim 6:17). With the perpetual joy of the Holy Spirit which He places us in our heart at the point of regeneration, every human activity even the mundane ones’ would now seem enjoyable. Yes, thanks to Jesus redemptive Work on the Cross, today God’s children enjoy an “abundant life” (John 10:10)!!!

Prop...

Good and responsible children never take undue advantage of their Earthly Father’s overflowing love. Likewise the best prop in our spiritual life would be of maintaining proper balance between “intimacy” and “intimidation” in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Rather being “intimidated” like a slave in the Master’s presence, a Christian ought to come into the presence of the Heavenly Father joyously calling Him “Abba” (Aramaic equivalent of Daddy). By the same token the reverential fear of the Lord never ought to take the backseat in our lives, lest we slip into a perilous zone fitting the phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” (Heb 10:31). The wonderful balance between “intimidation” and “intimacy” is best illustrated in Acts 9:31 which reads thus...

“...The believers learned how to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” (TLB)

Amazing is the related fact that it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who is the source behind both the comfort and reverential fear of the Lord (Isa 11:2). Hallelujah!!!

Prototype...

Our Earthly Fathers’ crave love of their offspring. Our Heavenly Father too craves for our love. In fact, He wants us to grow into the image of His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ who has loved Him immeasurably right from Eternity. Christ’s love for the Father was best manifested in the matter of his implicit obedience...even if it meant taking indescribable suffering in his stride (John 14:30-31). With same Spirit of Christ indwelling us (Gal 4:6), it wouldn’t be beyond us to replicate the Saviour’s deeds especially in the realm of loving obedience to our Heavenly Father (Heb 5:8), come what may!!!