Adoption and the "Abba!" Cry

The term "salvation" does not carry the same weight nowadays as it does in the pages of Scripture. It gets thrown around flippantly, because we do not truly understand the circumstances from which we have come and the blessings in which we now find ourselves. But as we continue in our diligent study of God's redeeming purposes, we see the contrast and the great disparity between the two - and filling that incomprehensible chasm of where we were and where God has raised us in Christ is the free grace of a loving Father. And then, the wonderful truth is revealed to us - we are adopted sons of God.

Here is what Paul says to the Galatian church about the matter -

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:1-7 ESV)

Again, Paul tells the Roman church that we have received this Spirit of adoption, making us heirs of the promise and sons who cry out "Abba! Father!" -

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 sons 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 8:12-17 ESV)

And this is more than just the forgiveness of sins - as significant and vital as this is! - it is about our identity before God. We are no longer slaves, but the favor of a gracious God found us in our most desperate moment, picked us up, cleaned us off, gave us white garments, and called us sons. And the same yearning with which our brother and Lord cried out in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Abba, Father!" (Mark 14:36), is the same longing we now possess. This Abba cry is not to be mistaken for an affectionate call to "daddy." It is a longing to be delivered from the plight of mankind and the subsequent judgment of God and to alleviate the current birth pangs of creation surrounding our world today (Romans 8:19-22). It is a spirit that yearns to be in the presence of our heavenly Father, by whom we have received adoption as sons.

This Spirit in whom we give our Abba cry bears witness to us each day that we are, in fact, children of God - and if children, then heirs according to promise with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). Not only are we sinners reconciled to a holy God, but in Christ by adoption, we are orphans brought into the heavenly family to dine with our Father at his table.

SDG