Rhema: The Abba Factor

Imagine there’s a room full of people who have interacted with you at one point or another in your lifetime. This could include your friends, colleagues, classmates, family members, neighbors and anyone else you can think of. Suppose a stranger walked in and asked each of these people to describe you. Would their answers be the same? Probably not. If you asked my classmates, they would probably say ‘she’s the tall one who sits at the front‘. If you asked my neighbors, they’d probably say ‘she’s the quiet one who likes walking’. If you asked my mum, she’d probably have A LOT to say. She’d tell you about my childhood, my personality, my likes, my dislikes, my strengths, my weakness, my dreams, my ambitions and so many other details about my life. I bear a splitting resemblance to my mum, hence, she’d probably end by saying, ‘If you’re looking for her, just take a good look at me. You can’t miss her. She looks just like me.’ Those who are closest to you will offer the best description of you. At the same time, it’s interesting to note that when describing a person, we tend to focus on one or two main distinguishing qualities that stood out for us.

Recently, I began to explore my personal understanding of God and I realized something quite interesting: My perspective of God greatly affects how I respond to Him, how I view myself and how I interact with others. Let me explain using 3 illustrations.

When I look at my life, I’ve noticed that I tend to see God as my teacher. He’s someone who I think is really intelligent and I’m always looking to learn more from Him. At the same time, I often have a performance mentality such that I assume He’ll only love me when I’m excelling and doing well. The worst part is that I sometimes view others as my fellow students who are also competing for the Teacher’s affection. Hence, life becomes a competition. I sometimes struggle to see His unconditional love because in my mind, He is the teacher. According to my understanding, He will only be pleased with me when I’m performing well.

Some people view God as a doctor. They only go to Him when they’re sick. During hard times, He cures all their ailments and provides miraculous solutions. However, once they get better, His input is not needed except for the occasional check-up here and there. They don’t see the need to seek God in good times. Besides, as a doctor, His main role is to treat ailments, right?

Some people view God as a judge. He is perfectly just and fair thereby maintaining order and peace. They believe that we will all give an account on the Day of Judgement and if your good deeds outweighs the bad, then you win the case. They tend to view the world in two main camps. Those who are for them, and those who are against them. In order for salvation to come to their camp, damnation must come to the other camp. Just like in a court case whereby if the defendant wins, the complainant loses and vice versa.

As you can imagine, there are many more ways in which people view God. Perhaps even right now, you’re beginning to explore your own personal understanding and relating it to how you live your life.

In the Bible, ‘Yahweh’ is one of the main Hebrew words used to refer to God. This is built on the word for ‘I Am‘ in the Hebrew language. I love the fact that this name is all-encompassing. It shows that God is able to operate in any and every capacity to fulfill His good purpose. Hence, it is accurate for me to say that God is a Teacher, a Healer, a Judge, a Provider and hundreds of other names used to describe His roles and qualities.

In the New Testament, we see The Son Of God (Jesus) revealing the nature of God as a Father. This beautiful familial relationship is demonstrated in the use of the word ‘Abba’. Abba is an affectionate term for ‘Father’ in the Aramaic language. When God’s nature as a Father is superimposed on every other trait that He possesses, then we are able to see the full picture.

The Abba Factor changes everything.

Romans 8:14-15 NIV
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.”

If God is a teacher, what happens when the teacher is my father? All of a sudden, His love is not dependent on my performance. The learning never stops, it goes beyond the classroom. Furthermore, I’m no longer in a competition with my classmates. I have this assurance that the Teacher knows me, He sees me and He loves me uniquely. When the teacher is my father, learning becomes a pleasure instead of a chore. I want to do well because it makes me happy to see Him happy. It’s not so that I can somehow ‘earn’ His love.

If God is a doctor, what happens when the doctor is my father? Well, I get to see Him everyday, not just when I’m sick. He is able to treat all conditions, big and small. I desire to spend time with Him even when I’m healthy and strong.

If God is a judge, what happens when the judge is my father? He will be perfectly just and perfectly merciful. When I appear before Him guilty of a crime, He will sentence me to pay the required fine. However in His mercy, He will reach into his own pocket and pay the ransom so that I can be free. Hence, when the penalty of sin is death, He shall give His own life for me.

God wants us to see Him as a Father. This way, we will see others as our brothers and sisters. Not competitors in a class, or fellow patients in a hospital, or even the opposing party in a court case.

When God is our Father, we will begin to naturally display His image. Children will always bear some resemblance to their parents because it’s in their DNA. They effortlessly manifest their heritage.

As a daughter, I desire to fully embrace my identity as His child. This is so that when my Father is describing me to a stranger, He will be able to say ‘If you’re looking for her, just take a good look at Me. You can’t miss her. She looks just like Me.’

The Abba Factor changes everything.

– RR🌸