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 9 of 11 DIVINE FAMILIARITY

Integral to the word "Father," or "Abba, Father," is the thought of closeness and familiarity. After all, Jesus is bringing us to God (John 14:6). As it is written, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God . . . " (1 Peter 3:18). The thought of a reconciled people that are NOT close to God is a contradiction of terms. We are not to allow such notions to find residence in our faculties of reason. Contrary to much thinking, the purpose of redemption is not to produce ideal social or domestic environments. Although these often result from being reconciled to God, their absence did not require the death of Christ. Sin had estranged humanity from God. Whether or not they got along with one another was not really the issue, although sin did cause people to be "hateful and hating one another" (Tit. 3:3). Christ's death primarily reconciled us TO GOD (Rom. 5:10). It tore down the barrier that sin had erected, and opened the floodgates of blessing. "Abba, Father" portrays this kind of relationship. These words are not a religious formula, but an expression of oneness with God through Christ, and by the Spirit. The details of the new covenant were promised through Jeremiah. Integral to that covenant was a new relationship to God. No longer would those within the covenant be admonished to "know the Lord." The unequivocal promise was, "They shall all know Me, from the least to the greatest" (Jer. 31:34). The Spirit confirms this is the covenant that has been sealed by Christ's blood, in Hebrews 8:10-13. The knowledge of God is what prompts us to cry out "Abba, Father." The Spirit of Christ is what enables us to do the same. Our faith is what undergirds our call with confidence and godly expectation.

NO LONGER SERVANTS

One of the great benefits of salvation is that of our elevation from the status of mere servants or slaves. It ought to be clear that "Abba, Father" is not a servile expression. While it is true that we are "servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:18) and "servants to God" (Rom. 6:22), there also is a sense in which we are no longer mere servants. Ours is a knowledgeable relationship--one in which God shares His "secret" with those in His Son (Psa 25:14; Col 1:26). During preparation for the transition to the new covenant, Jesus revealed the nature of our new relationship to God and Himself. While the words were spoken to the disciples, they are applicable to all within the covenant. They describe a condition accomplished by salvation. "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:15). This was a status, you will remember, that Abraham also had (James 2:23). The idea is that those in Christ are privy to the "good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2). They are working for the Lord, but not in the dark. They serve the Lord, but not in ignorance. This is a privilege not afforded to those serving within the principle of Law. The Holy Spirit emphasizes this in the fourth chapter of Galatians. "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Galatians 4:4-6). Note the conclusion of the Holy Spirit on the above situation. It is staggering to the flesh, but comforting to the spirit. Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Gal. 4:7). Our inheritance, therefore, is immediately related to our sonship! Let the saints rejoice in their status as sons! Our appointed destiny in Jesus is that of heirs of "all things" (Rev. 21:7). Until that time, we have been given the Spirit of adoption, and cry "Abba, Father" -- a privilege not afforded a mere servant. Unlike a servant, we have been adopted as sons, and partake of the benefits of the household. "Abba, Father" is an expression denoting this marvelous status. PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise you for elevating me to the status of a son--an heir of Yourself, and a joint-heir with Your Son, Jesus Christ. Give me grace draw close to You, for I delight in Your presence. I had rather be a doorkeeper in Your house, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Hear my prayer, in Jesus' name!

-- TOMORROW: WHAT CAN GOD DO TROUGH YOU? --