…you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father “(Romans 8:15)
I’ve seen my father cry twice. Both instances are relevant to this topic but I’ll just focus on one. I’m from a humble background and therefore my parents have sacrificed a lot to put food on the table, care for, protect and give us good education. This sacrifice, through the grace of God, and also the hard work of my youngest sister made her perform very well in her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE, examinations. She became one of the top students in our home constituency, earning her a place in one of Kenya’s top National High Schools, Alliance Girls High School. She achieved this at a remote village primary school.
While blessing the little girl as she starts her new life in school and giving mighty thanks to God for the far, He’s brought our family and given us this victory my dad burst into tears. He’d faced several challenges, from people mocking him that he won’t afford the school fees at Alliance to taking the risk of admitting my sister to such a big school. In his cry and prayer, he recognized God as our Father (the head of our family) and claimed assurance that if God is our Father, He will surely supply the needs of our family and my sister will be able to finish school effectively. And yes, she did, without the slightest hiccup in paying school fees. God the Father provided the means.
My parents have given us the best they could afford and this brings to mind the statement of Jesus; “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11). We have a Father in heaven who is far greater than our earthly fathers and we are blessed to be called His children.
Adoption as children of God
We become children of God through faith in Jesus. (Galatians 3:26). When we believe in Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we recognize Jesus as Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Spirit then prompts us to call God Abba, Father (Romans 8:15). This is an assurance enough that we are children of God.
The term ‘Abba’ is an Aramaic word for father and was commonly used at home by children to address their fathers. Paul uses the term ‘Abba’ and ‘Father’ in the sentence most likely for emphasis (Romans 8:15). It is also interesting to note that Jesus, during His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane used the same formulation. ‘And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36).’ Paul again used the same formulation in his Letter to the Galatians: “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6)
Benefits of being children of God.
1: We are assured of God’s love.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5)
We are beneficiaries of God’s love and we’ve done totally nothing to deserve this love. We see God expressing His love towards us by giving us His only begotten Son to die for our salvation. ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16). This Love prompts us to keep His commandments, ‘For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3).’ This Love also fosters and produces in us the love for others. Essentially, we are only able to love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)
The world around us may grow cold and we might not find love from those around us but we should never lose the hope that our Father in heaven loves us.
2: We are heirs together with Christ.
The Bible references a lot to the inheritance believers have in Christ. Galatians 4:7 says ‘Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.’ Other Bible texts that mention believers’ inheritance includes Ephesians 1:11, Peter 1:4, Colossians 3:24, and Hebrews 9:15. This inheritance is heaven. It sums up all of God’s promises of salvation. We are promised to reign with Christ for a thousand years in heaven (Revelation 20:4-6)
Are you looking forward to reigning with Christ in heaven and inheriting everlasting life? There’s a condition to it. The book of 2 Timothy 2:12 tells us that ‘If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.’ May we endure the challenges and temptations of this world and accept Jesus as our savior through the strength that He gives us (Philippians 4:13) so that we may be able to gain this inheritance.
3: We are assured of God’s care, help, and protection
As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:13-14
Our heavenly Father knows our limitations. He’s in tune with the challenges that we go through and is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46.1). He knows our capabilities and how many temptations we can bare. Our Heavenly Father is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Life can be full of hurts and pain but our Heavenly Father is there to comfort us. The book of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us that, ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation…’ He is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18).
Therefore, whenever you feel down because of the cares and perplexities of this world remember to Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).
4: We are assured of our Heavenly Father’s Provision
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:30).
Our Heavenly Father knows all our needs and has called us to seek Him first so that all these can be added to us. (Matthew 6:31-34)
When Elijah was hungry, tired, and wanted to die the Bible tells us that ‘The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.’ (1 Kings 17:6) God provided for him in such a miraculous way.
When Isaac asked his father where the sacrificial lamb would come from, Abraham told him “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” Genesis 22:8)
Our heavenly Father knows our needs and is ready to provide them. Therefore, let us not worry about what we shall eat, drink and wear and other perplexities of life but focus on seeking the Kingdom of heaven and all these shall be added to us. (Matthew 6:31-34) “Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future, but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty, He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.” (Desire of Ages, p. 330)
5: We are assured of our Heavenly Father’s guidance.
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21
We are often met with difficult situations that require us to make some hard choices and decisions. We should always rely on God to give us the wisdom to make the right judgment. The book of James 1:5 tells us that ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.’
We have also been promised the Holy Spirit who guides us in our Spiritual life. He teaches us and brings to our remembrance the teachings of Christ (Mathew 14:26)
Our responsibilities as Children of God
We are to trust our Heavenly Father. As a child trusts his father, ‘trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.’ (Proverbs 3:5-6)
We are to love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. (Luke 10:27)
We are also to put to death the deeds of the body and allow to be led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). The deeds of the body refer to indulging in things that only gratify the flesh and don’t give any honor to God. If we indulge in these, we will die a spiritual death (Romans 8:13) and ultimately the second death talked about in Revelation 21:8.
We are to continually abide in Jesus Christ (John 15:4-11)
Conclusion
When Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” (John 14:8-11)
Christ has already pointed us to the Father. If you believe in Him your life will be full of abundance.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
This is beautiful! God has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing of. Indeed He is our father!