“God the Father: Abba” (Rom. 8: 14-16)
How do you address God, the Father?
We seldom reflect on how language shapes our attitudes toward other people/things or our perceptions of them. For example, there is a difference between calling a building a house or a home. When referring to the building in which you abode, do you call it your “house” or your “home”? For most of us, we call it our “home.” Technically, it is a house, which is simply defined as a building for human habitation. However, calling it “house” does not capture the same warmth, safety, family, or intimacy we feel in it. So, we call it “home.” The point is that words and titles have meaning. We call our houses “home.” And we call God…
In describing God, the Father, Paul uses the term “Abba.” This word, in ancient times, was used to describe the relationship a child had with his/her father. To call the Father “Abba,” would be the modern equivalent of calling the Father “Daddy.” It is important to note that the early Jews viewed God as a loving and caring Divine Being, but not a Divine Being with whom you could share intimacy or fellowship. Yet, Jesus uses this term to describe God, the Father, in Mark 14: 36. When he does so, He introduces a wholly new understanding of God. By calling the Father “Abba,” Jesus is making a radical claim. He and the Father share a close intimate relationship with each other akin to the type of fellowship we see shared between a human father and his child(ren).
Considering that Jesus is the Son, such terminology seems a quite appropriate description of the love and fellowship with which He shares with the Father. The real shock, for many of us, is that Paul uses the same exact term to describe our relationship with God the Father. The implication is that, just as Jesus shared intimacy and relationship with God, the Father, we too can share the same type of fellowship with God, the Father. In modern phraseology, we too can call the Father “Daddy.”
So do it. We usually call God, the Father, “Father” or “Lord.” This ought to be encouraged. It carries with it a sense of respect and reverence. However, for most of us, that word does not capture the same essence or feeling of intimacy in which we can share with the Father. By calling God “Daddy,” we enter into a relationship with God where there is intimacy and fellowship. If you want to increase your intimate relationship with the Father, then start calling the Father Daddy on a more regular basis. It may seem odd at first, but I promise you that you will grow closer to the Father because of it.
And God Bless you!
Dear Lord, dear Father, dear Abba, dear Daddy, I thank you that in Your immense Love and Mercy that I can share intimacy and fellowship with You. May it grow daily. I love You Daddy.
Amen.
