Abba, Father

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (Gal. 4:6 NKJ)

The word “Abba” is a Greek term derived from the Aramaic language. It was first used of Jesus in the scriptures Mark 14:36 in the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was about to be betrayed. In the scripture above, it is used by the Spirit of God speaking through us and referring to God as our Father, just as Jesus did.

The reason we call God “Father” is because He is truly our father! The title Father can be used of God as the Creator and Source of all life.

However, this is not what the Lord is referring to when He calls Jesus His Son, or when He says you are His child. The child of God is essentially a man carrying God’s nature as imparted by the Spirit of God. Jesus was God Himself in human flesh, and hence He is called the only begotten Son of God. This description means that He is the Son of God in a unique, one-of-a-kind way.

However, because you and Jesus have one Father, Jesus is therefore your Brother! That is why Paul says of Jesus, “He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb. 2:11 NKJ.)

When God calls you His son (whether you are male or female,) He means what He says. He is not making assumptions; you are indeed a son of God. And He understands that there are responsibilities that come with fatherhood such as provision, protection, guidance, etc. He is much more passionate about His children than we are passionate about our own children. Call Him “Abba, Father!”