“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”
JOHN 1:12-13 (NIV)
We are God's children. When we believe in Jesus Christ we are brought near to God the Father. So near in fact that he calls us his sons and daughters. We are a part of his family now. Fully received, fully loved, and fully accepted.
What does this mean? It means we get to share in the very same relationship of love and intimacy that Jesus shared with the Father. Romans 8:15 (NIV) tells us, "The received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’"
We should recognize this cry of, "Abba. Father”. We have heard it before on the lips of Jesus as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus cried out, "Abba, Father ... everything is possible for you" (Mark 14:36a NIV). Incredibly, we address God as "Abba, Father" just as Jesus does. We talk to God like Jesus does. He has granted us full access (Ephesians 2:18). No constraints, no caveats, no limitations. We are received. We are accepted. We belong. So much so, that we can boldly pray, "Abba, Father," along with Jesus. We share in the relational intimacy, love, and bond that the Father and Son have known for all eternity.
Jesus, the divine Son by nature, has invited you, by grace, to participate in his life of love with the Father. This is how much you have been received in his family. This is how much you belong. This is how much your identity is secured. God the Father has welcomed you into his house. In fact, as you cry out "Abba, Father," he says back, "My beloved child." The Creator of the universe cherishes you and delights in you.
What did you hear?
What do you think?
What will you do?
Now talk to God…
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