June 19 — Why We Cry Abba. Romans 8:14-15 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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.”
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The word abba is one of the most endearing terms in the Bible, and is meant to bring comfort for everyone who believes. The transliteration for Abba is “Abbá – “Father,” also used as the term of tender endearment by a beloved child – i.e. in an affectionate, dependent relationship with their father; “daddy,” “papa.””
The word Abba is Aramaic, and listed in the Bible only 3 times – Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15, and Galatians 4:6.
For those who’ve never experienced this type of love, it may seem an insurmountable task, but it’s absolutely achievable, and done so by learning more about Him who offers such love. I, for one, know this from firsthand experience. It was easy enough for me to believe Jesus is my God, and Savior. Believing that same God is also a loving Father was a totally foreign concept because my life experience didn’t include a loving father. I had a father who had detached himself from any personal relationships with those he lived around.
Most heartbreaking of all, that also included sweet Jesus.
We’ve all cried out to Abba for our own reasons, sadly however, Mormons don’t understand the concept of being a son/daughter of God through adoption. They bought into the lie they are literally begotten by God Himself.
My prayer is that Christians will share the truth with a Mormon they know! In John’s gospel we read that we become sons of God, and it’s not through a bloodline.
John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Moreover, we aren’t automatically spirit children of God. This is reserved for those who’ve been adopted by God, and as His Spirit takes up residence in us.
Galatians 4:4-6 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
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Ensign, ‘The Salvation of Little Children’, April 1977 “A child is an adult spirit in a newly born body, a body capable of growing and maturing according to the providence of Him whose spirit children we all are.” — Bruce R. McConkie
We are not literal children of heavenly father in preexistence. We are adopted into the Body of Christ, after accepting we are sinners and need a Savior, on believing Jesus died for our sins was buried and rose the 3rd day.