Abba Father

 You have not received a spirit of fear, but you have now received the Spirit which cries "Father dear."  Abba Father, Daddy God, we receive your love.  These are the words of the chorus based on Galatians 4.  The Spirit causes us to know our primary relationship that gives us stability forever/

Abba Father suggests you are a little child.  And what is a greater blow to our pride than God stopping our head-strong actions with the words, "little children"?  But that is exactly what happened after the resurrection when the disciples decided to go back to fishing. "Little children, have you caught any fish?  God has this ability to say things like they are!

However, "Little children" may not always be a rebuke, but might be taken as an encouragement of His fatherly love.  Yes, it is true we often act foolishly or childishly, but God is reaffirming our relationship with Him, and that He is there to help you.  Our part is to honestly acknowledge that we need Him and are willing to let Him help us.  Note the necessity, unless you humble yourself as a little child.  How about Jesus' comment that the greatest in the kingdom is a little child. The Spirit crying, "Abba, Father" reassures us that no matter what happens, through Jesus, we belong to Him and are His children forever.

Yet, clearly God has put a desire in us to grow up, to no longer be  children led astray by every wind of doctrine.  We are called to grow up into Christ in every way, to let the Spirit change us from glory to glory.  This is not something we work to do, but rather an acceptance that Jesus has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him.  

We grow, as we come to know the truth about Him, His love for you, and all He has done for you. Naturally this comes by taking time and choosing to let Him reveal Himself through the truth of His Word.  The more we are transformed by renewing our mind with His thoughts and ways, the more we grow into His image.  As a man thinks, so is he.

So what is our he conclusion? Always keep a humble childlike heart that relates to God as your intimate personal father, but press in to become what God has called and provided for you to become: a mature child of God transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.  Jesus knew and honored His "Abba Father."