June 19 — Why We Call Him 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
So Bruce is calling God Almighty a liar? Very dangerous territory.
Mr. McConkie seemed to tread there quite often, unfortunately,
I agree…I don’t know how McConkie, could’ve looked at his kids and grands and think they were adults in babies.
I have struggled with this very issue most of my life. My parents divorced when I was about 2, and my dad really wasn’t there much. My dad died when I was 8, so probably not fair to label him a deadbeat, bc things could’ve changed.
My Mom remarried my stepdad when I was 4 and we had our struggles for sure. My Mom ended up passing away when I was 13, then things got much worse. I’d like to clarify my stepdad was a good man though, and when I was a young adult I let all that go. We were all dealing with a lot and made mistakes.
It was (and still is) incredibly difficult to get close to people, including God. I couldn’t handle any more loss. It took awhile to finally realize God would NEVER abandon me, and His love is far greater and infinite than any human love.
My step(Dad) passed away this past October, and I really miss a lot.
If you’re LDS we are Sons and Daughters through adoption. Not because we are literal spirit children of heavenly father and mother. And YES there is a huge difference. God is so much more than a once sinful exalted man.
Your story is a great example of our Lord’s enduring patience and love for us. i for one, am ever so grateful for what He’ s done and continues to do for me each day as I learn more about Him.
Although life can be difficult at times, His unchanging ways are where we find stability and comfort no matter the circumstances surrounding us.
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