Dear friends, As Joyce and I returned to the States after several months in Europe, I have become aware that there is an underlying fear in the atmosphere. I realize that there is reason to be concerned about the situation we find ourselves in at this time in the world. Yet, I cannot help feel that the church should have a different perspective on our world and the health concerns at this time. I believe that God’s word encourages us to care for ourselves and our health, yet God also encourages us not to live under the oppression of fear. In fact, it seems that it is directly determined by our perspective on life in relation to God. I believe that perspective comes from knowing who we are as the church. The apostle Paul wrote in much detail about this for us.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17 NKJV
In this portion of Scriptures, we are instructed that the Spirit leads us and makes us aware that Jesus continues to love us and that he is our constant mediator in heaven. The Spirit also shows us that God the Father loves us as his adopted children no less than he loves his one and only Son, Jesus; and he reminds us of the reward Jesus will share with us in heaven. Most importantly maybe, the Spirit creates in us the love and confidence by which we cry to him, “Abba, Father”–which is an expression of a deeply personal relationship with and access to God.
One of the Holy Spirit’s tasks is to create in God’s children a feeling of filial love (i.e., relating to parents or family) that causes us to know God as our Father. The term “Abba” is Aramaic, meaning “Father.” It was the word Jesus used when referring to his heavenly Father. The combining of the Aramaic term “Abba” with the Greek term for father (patër) expresses the depth of intimacy, warmth and confidence by which the Holy Spirit helps us relate to and cry out to God.
So there is our perspective as a believer; as the church. We are sons and daughters of God who live in these present circumstance; in this world. As a son or daughter, we see our world with all its dangers as well as its beauty. Yet, we view the world from the reality that we are God’s son (or daughter, for the female reader). We belong to him and he cares for us, loves us and will protect us. Let’s remember that the apostle Paul wrote and preached from the position of one who suffered many things, yet did not live in fear. Daily let us call out to him as “Abba Father”.