ABBA FATHER Jesus Raised by the Father's Glory "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Jesus was raised from the dead by, or through, "glory of the Father." It was the Divine nature that burst asunder the cords of death. When the Father's glory, or revelation of His Person, invaded the region of the dead, it had to release the Lord Jesus. Nothing can stand before "the glory of the Father" -- nothing! To survive it, you must be "changed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of our God" (2 Cor 3:18). We Are in the Father "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we IN HIM; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him" (1 Cor. 8:6). Here is a most marvelous affirmation. It is worthy of more proclamation than is common among men. We were baptized into the Father, as well as the Son and Holy Spirit. That is the significance of "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt 28:19). Those words are not a formula, but describe a transaction wherein we are "joined to the Lord" and become "one Spirit" with Him (1 Cor 6:17). The Kingdom Will Go Back to the Father "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Cor. 15:24). Jesus is currently governing the kingdom in the interest of bringing "the elect," or "sons of God," home to the Father. He is orchestrating everything so our faith is not in vain. But in the end, when God's purpose shall have been perfectly executed to His glory, the Son will give the kingdom back to the Father. He Promises to be a Father Unto Us "And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor. 6:18). One of the incentives for separating ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit is the promise that God will be a Father to us (6:17; 7;1-2). We do well to pursue the fulfillment of this promise in ourselves. I fear that too many people are haggling about what to name the church, what to call each other, and similar pursuits. It is more fitting to earnestly seek for God to be a Father to us. That is the relationship within which true benefits are realized. Our Deliverance Was According to the Father's Will "Who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Gal 1:4). Until Jesus delivered us, we were the "servants of sin," It is the Father Who Has Blessed Us "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph 1:3). Salvation is abundant. It includes "all spiritual blessings." These are not ethereal blessings about which we philosophize. They are very real, including the remission of sins, the empowerment of the Spirit, access to God, access to the grace of God, the ministry of angelic hosts, wisdom, righteousness, and a host of other benefits. The source of these things is the Father Himself: "the God and FATHER of our Lord Jesus Christ." He has not blessed us because of who we are -- even after redemption -- but because of who Jesus is! He Gives Us the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him" (Eph 1:17). Here is a rare jewel indeed: "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (the Father)." This involves a comprehension of God that transcends the intellect, yet can be enjoyed by faith. It is what causes the Word of God to make sense. It unveils the absurdity of sin, and provides a compelling reason to seek the Lord with all of our heart. And who is it that gives this precious gift to us"? It is "THE FATHER of glory." We Have Access to the Father Through the Spirit "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph 2:18). A religion without access to God is worthless, leaving man to navigate through a condemned world on his own. Because of Christ's vicarious atonement, both Jew and Gentile are welcome in the Father's house, and before His throne. They can make their requests known to the very God of heaven, with every expectation of being heard and answered. One of the great detriments of the current trend of counseling in the church, is that people are becoming more aware of men than of their Father. This certainly is an area that is ripe for improvement. The Confession of Jesus Glorifies the Father "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:11). Eventually every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, acknowledging it before an assembled universe. In the ultimate sense, no one really has a choice in the matter. Their knee will bow, and their tongue will confess -- and there will be no exceptions. Of course, if this confession is made now from the heart, you will receive credit for it then. And what will this confession do? It will show forth the glory of GOD THE FATHER. He will be seen as the Architect of our salvation, and all glory will go to Him. The Father Qualified Us for the Inheritance "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12). Before any person can receive an "eternal inheritance" (Heb 9:15), they must be qualified to receive it. The One who makes us "meet," or qualified, for this inheritance is the Father Himself! To be sure, He has used means to do this. The Son cleared away the hindering factor, sin, and is now bringing us to glory through His teaching (Eph 4:20-21), shepherding (Heb 13:20), and intercession (Heb 7:25). But it is God Himself who has done the work through the Son. As it is written, "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor 1:30, NASB). Tomorrow:
"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).
Jesus is "the only begotten OF THE FATHER" (John 1:14). He is "in the bosom OF THE FATHER" (John 1:18). Our Lord confined Himself to doing "the will OF THE FATHER" (John 5:30). It is THE FATHER who draws us to Christ Jesus (John 6:44-45). Prayers addressed to THE FATHER in Jesus' name are honored by Him (John 15:16). the New Covenant era is marked by Jesus showing men "plainly of THE FATHER" (John 16:25). The coming of the Spirit was "the promise OF THE FATHER" (Acts 1:4; 2:33). The Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, was sent "FROM THE FATHER" (John 15:26). Every "good and perfect gift" comes down "FROM THE FATHER" (James 1:17).
Yet, these facts are not mere academic trivia. The nature and effect of salvation is hinged to THE FATHER. He is pivotal in every aspect of our deliverance from the power of darkness and translation into the kingdom of His dear Son. THE FATHER is the most prominent personality in Scripture. Salvation is His purpose. The Father sent the Son, and the Son fulfilled the will of THE FATHER. Jesus has reconciled us to the Father, and is bringing us to the Father. This is a fundamental consideration. A brief elaboration of this point will be profitable. It will serve to highlight the marvelous grace that has been afforded us to cry out "Abba FATHER."
It would be pretentious to attempt to identify everything involved in that fact. It is enough now for us to see that Jesus is readying us to be presented to God, together with all things involved in gathering heaven and earthy things together in one (Eph 1:10).
unable to extricate ourselves from the morass of iniquity. The compelling reason for this deliverance was not a fleshly sympathy for us. Nor, indeed, was it our earnest cries. Although those things were involved, it was "the will of the Father" that moved Jesus to deliver us from where we were held, and put us where we had no access before.
How fitting it is for the Father to be prominent in our thinking and preaching! After all, Jesus Himself declared, "My Father . . . is greater than all" (John 10:29). Elsewhere the Spirit affirms, "the head of Christ is God" (1 Cor 11:3). This does not demean Christ, but presents Him to us as the exclusive and effective means to the Father. Glory in it!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for my affiliation with You as a son. With my heart, and with great expectation and confidence, I call You "My Father who is in heaven."