Faith as Family with Abba Father
More Than Just a Creed: Faith as Family with Abba Father
For many, faith can sometimes feel like a rigid set of rules, a complex theology to master, or an endless pursuit of moral perfection. We study scripture, learn doctrines, and strive to live righteously – all vital aspects of our spiritual journey. But what if, at the very core of it all, faith isn’t primarily about a systematic approach, but something far more personal and, dare I say, beautifully simple?
What if faith is, first and foremost, about relationship? A relationship so intimate, so unconditional, that it transforms every other aspect of our walk with God.
Abba: Our Loving Dad
Jesus changed everything when He taught us to call God “Abba.” This isn’t just a formal title; it’s an Aramaic term of endearment, like “Daddy” or “Papa.” It invites us into a closeness with the Creator of the universe that is nothing short of revolutionary. Imagine the God who flung stars into existence, who orchestrates galaxies, now inviting you to call Him “Dad.”
This shifts our entire perspective. When we stumble, when we fall short, the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) paints the clearest picture. The father doesn’t stand with arms crossed, judging from afar. No, he runs to his wayward son, embraces him, and restores him, not as a servant, but as a beloved child. This is our Abba. Even in our sin, His love for us as His child never wavers. This understanding doesn’t excuse sin, but it empowers true repentance, knowing we return to open arms, not condemnation.
When we grasp this truth – that God is our loving Dad – living out our faith becomes less about striving and more about simply being in relationship. It becomes less about earning love and more about responding to love already freely given. Dare I say, it makes faith “easy” in the most profound sense – not effortless, but lived from a place of secure belonging and deep affection.
Brothers and Sisters
This family perspective extends beyond our individual relationship with God. When we share this profound love for our “Dad,” those around us who do the same become our brothers and sisters in a very real, tangible sense. The church transforms from an institution into a family, bound not just by shared beliefs, but by a shared Father.
And Jesus? He is, of course, our Saviour and King, the one through whom we gain access to Abba. But He is also, in this familial theology, our Elder Brother (Romans 8:29, Hebrews 2:11-12). He understands our struggles, advocates for us, and leads us home to our Father. This helps us understand many things in scripture that might otherwise seem challenging or distant – they are stories of our family, our heritage, our Father’s will for us.
The Joy of Intimacy: “I Love You, Dad” and Even a Laugh
With such a close relationship, the simplicity of our communication deepens. Imagine just saying to God, “I love you, you know?” Or, in a moment of true intimacy, even asking, “How are you, Lord?” These aren’t just reverent prayers; they are the heart-to-heart whispers between a child and their loving parent.
And here’s something else profound: our Abba has a sense of humor. The Bible, when read with this lens, offers delightful glimpses of God’s playful side.
- Think of Sarah laughing when told she’d have a child in her old age, and God, far from being offended, names her son Isaac, meaning “he laughs” (Genesis 18:12-15; 21:6). It’s as if God is sharing in her astonished joy, even her initial doubt.
- Consider Jonah and the plant that grew and withered (Jonah 4:6-11). God’s pointed, almost humorous, question about Jonah’s misplaced pity for a plant over a city full of people reveals a divine wit used to teach a profound lesson.
- Even Jesus, in His earthly ministry, used sarcasm and hyperbole that would surely evoke a chuckle from His disciples, like the camel going through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24) or the log in the eye (Matthew 7:3).
- On the flip side – its said that Satan doesn’t have a sense of humour…funny that.
To joke with God, to share a moment of lightness just as we might with an earthly father, is not irreverence. It’s the hallmark of a secure, loving relationship. It’s the joy of knowing that our Father delights in us, even in our quirks, and invites us into every facet of His personality.
This perspective – faith rooted in the intimate, loving relationship with Abba Father, with Jesus our Brother, and with fellow believers our family – isn’t just a comforting thought. It’s a transformative lens through which to view scripture, navigate life’s challenges, and live out our faith fully, joyfully, and with genuine freedom.
The true power of this systematic thought
The true power and comfort in this though here presented is the fact that when we sin…and how truly do we sin! – God isn’t simply throwing us into hell – instead as ones earthly father likely would – they would give you a telling off, yes they might even be disappointed – but ultimately they always love you – how much therefore does our Amazing God Yahweh. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The Bible advises believers, “My son, do not despise the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke, for the LORD disciplines those He loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights” Proverbs chapter 3 v 11-12.
