Our Family in God

 

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are fsons6 of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 812-17 ESV).

 

This is the time of year when our hearts turn toward home and loved ones. We look forward to family gatherings, and we are saddened if we can’t be home for Christmas. We are also saddened when it is impossible for some of our family to gather with us. This is one of the many benefits of the coming of Jesus so long ago to be born in Bethlehem. As we think about that miraculous event we ought to remember that Jesus actually left his home at Christmas. He left the glory of heaven to come to our sin-filled world. The Holy One came to the unholy; the Creator came to his broken, corrupted creation.

 

Sin alienated us from God. Jesus took the initiative to seek us out and bring us back. He came to bear our sin. He came to be cut off from the Father’s love because of his love for us. He came to earth to bring us to heaven. He paid the debt we could never pay and died the death we all deserved. This great act of grace provided the way home for all of us to our ultimate heavenly Father.

 

Through Jesus we are adopted as God’s beloved children. It is through Christ that we can call the Almighty, holy God “Abba, Father.” Our equivalent word for Abba is “Dad.” I still remember the joy of times when my children ran to my arms, crying “Dad!” when I came home. Abba is the trusting child’s cry of joy and love.

 

What a privilege we have in Jesus that we can call God “Abba, Father.” May we grow as his children in an ever-deepening relationship of gratitude and love.