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You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15, NLT).
One of my favorite writers, A.W. Tozer, wrote, “We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.”
He then added, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing in our relationship with God. A distorted image of God will take us pretty far off track in life.”
The Hebrew word “Abba” can be translated as “Daddy.” The Greek word translated as “Father” in Romans 8:15 can also be rendered as “Daddy.” The best translation for Romans 8:15 should be, “Now we call Him Daddy, Daddy!”
How many of us, when we consider God, say, “Daddy, Daddy?” And yet — according to Paul in Romans — that’s exactly what we should think.
There’s another word-image in Romans 8 that we must consider when thinking about God. Let’s continue reading. . .
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 (Romans 8:16-17a, ESV).
As joint heirs with Christ, we receive an inheritance. This proves our legitimacy as members of God’s family. In Romans 8, God comes close, He’s our dad and concerned for our future — that’s how we should think about God.
A.W. Tozer continues with thoughts about our new family. . .
Tragically, many Christians spend their lives focusing on what they are saved from without realizing what they are saved for. A profound journey begins when we realize that we are sons and daughters of the living God.
Recently, my son, two daughters, and I were involved in a business transaction. When finalizing the deal, we (Dad and children) sat around a table with a husband and wife with whom we were conducting business. At the table — at that time — Dad and the children were a team!
Romans 8 gives an invitation to the table. Our Dad sits with us to consider our future, not as a king on the throne, but as a father enjoying his children and conducting the business of their future with them.
When we think about God, knowing that we are invited to the table, we can understand the amazing promises of Romans 8. . .
Our Dad causes all things to work together for the good (v. 28, OGV).
If our Dad is for us who can be against us? (v. 31)
Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of our Daddy! (v. 39)
Amen! Great thoughts about God!