God “is” “Abba Father”. “Is” meaning ; “existing in this moment of time“, and “the substance, characteristics, and/or character of a thing”. God “is” a “right now”, “in this moment” God; alive, active and available to us. His “substance”, “characteristics”, and “character” is “Abba Father”.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,…..” Hebrews 11:6Romans 8:14-15 (NASB)
14-15 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
Father; from the Greek word “patēr” (pat-ayr’): from a root signifying “a nourisher, protector, upholder” (Lat., pater, Eng., “father,” are akin), (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words.)
As noted by the Vine’s Dictionary, “Father” is a term that signifies “a nourisher, protector, upholder”. “Father” also carries the connotation of “authority”, “ruler”, “leader”, “disciplinarian”, etc.
Abba ( ab-bah’): “is an Aramaic word, found in Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15 and Gal. 4:6. In the Gemara (a Rabbinical commentary on the Mishna, the traditional teaching of the Jews) it is stated that slaves were forbidden to address the head of the family by this title. It approximates to a personal name, in contrast to “Father,” with which it is always joined in the NT. This is probably due to the fact that, abba having practically become a proper name, Greek-speaking Jews added the Greek word patēr, “father,” from the language they used. abba Is the word framed by the lips of infants, and betokens unreasoning trust; “father” expresses an intelligent apprehension of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent confidence of the child.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words).
abba Is the word framed by the lips of infants, and betokens unreasoning trust; “father” expresses an intelligent apprehension of the relationship.
It is important to point out that “intelligent apprehension of the relationship” does not mean “intelligent ‘anxiety’”; rather, it means “an intelligent understanding (grasp)” of the relationship. By putting “Abba” and “Father” together, it expresses “the love and intelligent confidence of the child.”
For us to express the “Abba” concept attached to “Father”, we would say “Daddy”; which brings in a loving, caring, nurturing, etc. dimension into the relationship that modifies the “Father” position of “authority”, “ruler”, “leader”, “disciplinarian”, etc. There is a difference whether we are dealing with the “Father” or “Daddy” in a situation.
As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before His crucifixion;
And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)
John 18:4 states that Jesus knew all that was coming upon Him. With that in mind, we can see why He would appeal to the “Daddy” to remove the Cross and all that was associated with it, if there was another way to accomplish the redemption and salvation of mankind. Yet, Jesus was in complete submission to the expression of the “Father’s” love for the world through the events that were about to unfold.
In order for us to have a real “intelligent apprehension” (understanding/revelation), of the fullness of our relationship with our Heavenly Father; we must “grasp” the “Abba” (Daddy) side of the relationship.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (Amplified Bible) Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
“…for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” He “is” your “Abba (Daddy) Father”. Can you crawl up into His lap today and give Him your cares, etc.?
Our concept of His “isness”; the manner in which we define His nature, substance, characteristics, and character, and the way we “receive” His “isness” into our life and depend on (have faith in) it, will be the role that we “anticipate/expect” or “will allow” God to play in our lives.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,…..” God “is” “Abba Father”.
*** Fred Wilson *** is an author, former coach, teacher and Life and Liberty News Contributor.
