February 26
Paul uses certain terminology in his writings more often than others. One word that he uses to compare our condition prior to receiving Jesus as our Savior with our condition after doing so is ‘slave.’ When we are lost in our sin, we are slaves to sin, but when we have received Jesus, we becomes sons of God. Quite a transformative decision!
Another word that Paul uses in several places is one with which we are less familiar, and that is the word ‘abba.’ While we all understand the meaning of the word ‘slave,’ and far prefer our status as ‘sons’ to the image of servitude that the term ‘slave’ conveys, we cannot fully comprehend the significance of the term ‘Abba, Father.’
The word ‘Ab’ is literally translated from some Mid-Eastern languages into English as our word ‘Father.’ The same word can apply to our earthly father as well as to our Heavenly Father. God seems to have selected the term to fully convey His desire that we understand how profoundly He loves us and how fully He desires to have a relationship with us.
The word ‘Abba’ is a term of endearment, similar to our word ‘Daddy.’ By using this word instead of ‘Ab,’ Paul is telling us just how tenderly our God loves us. Romans 8:14, 15 says, “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of sonship, whereby we may cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Rejoice in your Daddy’s love!
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