THE RELATION OF THOSE IN CHRIST TO THE FATHER

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6).

Devotion 3 of 11

THE SITUATION

The Father has been largely omitted from the preaching of our day. Consequently, there is a high degree of ignorance concerning Him. This is what alienates the individual from God--personal ignorance of Him. "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Eph. 4:18). This is an arresting situation. From this perspective, a lot of the contemporary preaching concerning Jesus is also deficient. I make this observation with some regret, not wanting to appear sardonic or critical. However, Jesus' primary relation is to God the Father; His secondary relationship is to us. Too often He is represented as a Solverof human dilemmas and sort of "bosom buddy" of those who feel lonely. There is an element of truth in these depictions--but only an element. Christ's relationship to us is the RESULT of His relationship to the Father. If that primary association did not exist, He could have no identity with us! Too much of the preaching of our time confines Jesus to the realm of domestic and social difficulties. This is a serious distortion of the truth. Jesus was sent by God to do the will of God. He came to reconcile us to God, and enable us to please Him. Our lives are "hid with Christ IN GOD" (Col. 3:3). This is fundamental to our understanding and reception of Him.

THE PROCLAMATION

The Word of God declares that, in Christ, God becomes our Father in a redemptive way. Not only is this the case, but we confidently cry out to Him, calling Him our Father. This is a unique condition, and is found in no other religion in the world. At the outset, let it be clear that we are not speaking of a liturgical or procedural expression. This is something that comes from our hearts, and is uttered with spiritual understanding. If you are alert, you will notice that God is not consistently addressed as "Father" in many public prayers. This observation is not intended to be condemnatory. Rather, it points out an inherent weakness in contemporary religion. It is one that can, by the grace of God, be corrected. We are dealing with two fundamental expressions of "Abba, Father." Both texts are spoken to and of believers (Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6). "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:13-15). PRAYER POINT: Father, accept my gratitude for the privilege of so addressing You. I recognize this blessing is the result of the work of Your Son, and my acceptance of that work by faith. Give me grace to be sensitive to and perceptive of the magnitude of this benefit.

-- TOMORROW: THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON --