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Octavius Winslow, 1856 (edited for
today's reader by Larry E. Wilson, 2010)
Bible Verse
"And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' " (Gal. 4:6).
Devotional
"Abba! Father!" In the original, the apostle employs two different languages. It may not be improper to infer that, by using both the Aramaic and Greek form—the one being familiar to the Jew, and the other to the Gentile—he would denote that both Christian Jews and believing Gentiles are children of one family, and are alike privileged to approach God as a Father. Christ, our peace, has broken down the dividing wall of hostility that was between them (Eph. 2:13–16). And now, at the same mercy-seat, the Christian Jew and the believing Gentile, both one in Christ Jesus, meet, as rays of light converge and blend in one common center, at the feet of their reconciled Father (Eph. 2:18).
The expressions, too, set forth the specialness and intensity of the affection. Literally, "Abba! Father!" signifies "Daddy! Father!" No bond-servant was permitted to address the master of the family in this way; it was a privilege peculiar and sacred to the child.
And when our blessed Lord would teach his disciples to pray, he led them to the mercy-seat, and sealed these precious words upon their lips, "Our Father in heaven" (Matt. 6:9).
And after his resurrection, with increased emphasis and intensity, he gave utterance to the same truth. Prior to his death, his words were, "I go to the Father" (John 16:10). But when he came back from the grave, every truth he had enunciated before seemed to be quickened with new life. How tender and touching were his words, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (John 20:17).
In Christ, you are no longer a bondslave, but a son. Oh, claim the dignity and privilege of your birthright! Approach God as your Father. "Abba! Father!" How tender the relation! How intense the affection! What power it imparts to prayer! What may you not ask, and what can God refuse, with "Abba! Father!" breathing in lowliness and love from your lips?
Remember, it is an inalienable, unchangeable relation. Never, in any instance, or under any circumstance—even the most aggravated—does God forget it. He is as much your Father when he chastises as when he approves. He is as much your Father when he frowns as when he smiles. He is as much your Father when he brims the cup of adversity as when he bids you drink the cup of salvation.
Behold the touching display of it in his gracious restorings: "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). In all his wanderings that father's love had never lost sight of his wayward child. It tracked him along all his windings. It waited for and welcomed his return.
We may doubt; we may debase; we may deny our divine relationship; yet God will never disown us as his children, nor disinherit us as his heirs. We may cease to act as a child, but he will never cease to love as a Father. "If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself" (2 Tim. 2:13).
To him, then, as to a Father, go at all times.
Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off thy guilty fears:
the bleeding Sacrifice
in my behalf appears.
Before the Throne my Surety stands,
before the Throne my Surety stands,
my name is written on his hands.
He ever lives above,
for me to intercede,
his all-redeeming love,
his precious blood to plead.
His blood atoned for ev'ry race,
his blood atoned for ev'ry race,
and sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds he bears,
received on Calvary;
they pour effectual prayers,
they strongly plead for me.;
"Forgive him, O forgive, they cry,
forgive him, O forgive, they cry,
nor let that ransomed sinner die!"
The Father hears him pray,
his dear Anointed One;
he will not turn away
the pleading of his Son;
his Spirit answers to the blood,
his Spirit answers to the blood,
and tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled;
his pard'ning voice I hear;
he owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear.
With confidence I now draw nigh,
with confidence I now draw nigh,
and "Father, Abba, Father!" cry.
(Charles Wesley, 1742; alt. LEW, 2006)
Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.
Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2025.
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