Living in Abba's Love

The Father's relationship with us in Christ, having been eternally settled, is expressed in the most intimate and exalted of names. Abba is the cry of the Incarnate Son, but, through him, it is the cry of the whole reconciled community of the sons of God. This utterance communicates the fullness of the Father's affection, the tenderness of his care for us, the security of the relationship in which we live with him, and the wonderful blessing that is bestowed on us by his grace that we (even we!) are called his children. In the relationship that he has granted to us in Christ we can be free of fear (which involves punishment), for his perfect love casts out fear. In the work of the cross the Father has removed all wrath and judgement, and as Jesus is, so are we in this world with regard to it. This means that Abba becomes our settled home, and in his presence we find rest, not fear. In this place we live as little children. He takes us by the hand and teaches us to walk, gathers us in his arms and bestows upon us all the affection of his own love.