Scripture: Romans 8:15

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.

June is the month for many events among which is Father’s Day. For those who presently have or have had a good father it is a very pleasant time of remembrance and gift-giving. For the fatherless, or orphans, it can be a depressing and painful time. Our present day society has grown progressively more fatherless, with an increasing number of teenage mothers, women whose husbands have abandoned them, families in which the father has died in wars, and the list goes on.  Needless to say, fatherlessness is all around us. However, there is a father, who supersedes all earthly fathers, and he is, Father God.  He is the one true Father that we can lean and depend on, and totally trust.

If you’ll notice in our meditation Scripture it says “For ye have not received a spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, father. The word “Abba” in the Greek is a term which expresses endearment and relationship, and is used by a son or daughter when speaking of their father. The English equivalent of this term is, the word daddy. It cannot be used by a servant or one who does not have a relationship brought about by blood ties. As Gentile believers, we have been adopted into the family of God by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is this relationship, which allows us to call God ,Abba father. Sin held us in bondage until Jesus Christ died on the cross, giving us the freedom to become a part of the family of God. You cannot call God your father if you have never become a part of his family. Becoming a part of his family involves giving your life to him by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and moving forward to receive the abundant life of the Spirit. No longer do you have to live in fear because of the ravages of sin.

So many times, an individual’s natural relationship with their earthly father affects their relationship with the heavenly Father. If the earthly father was untrustworthy, dictatorial or difficult to please, these characteristics were carried over to one’s opinion about Father God. Such individuals have a difficult time trusting God and believing that he is a loving father, who cares about them and loves them unconditionally. It is in such a case that one needs to pray that God will teach them what it means for Him to be their Father. In fact, because the love of God is so much greater than natural human love, it is incumbent upon believers to seek to know God intimately as Father.  One thing for sure, he will never forsake or abandon you (Hebrews 13:5-6). He will always watch out for you and protect you (Psalms 91:1-4). He will provide everything you need for both your natural and spiritual life (2Peter 1:3).  Do you know God as your father? Have you become a part of His family by establishing a trusting and intimate relationship with Him? I challenge you to get to know Him as Father because in doing so your life will never be the same, and the absence or presence of an earthly father whether for good or bad, will not keep you from experiencing God’s best in your life.

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:14-17