Abba Avinu

December 01, 2008

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 KJV)

Abba Avinu (ab-ba ah-VEE-nu) … Daddy, Dear Father.

Abba Avinu has brought us out of bondage into His glorious freedom by the Spirit of adoption. This scenario is played over and over again as parents reach out to embrace an innocent child, bringing them out of bondage into the glorious freedom of being part of a family by the principle of adoption. Once again, we see Adoption as “The Perfect Picture” of love between Abba Avinu and His children.

It is a profound truth that many of our laws are based on principles found in the Word of God. From early in man’s history, adoption was an accepted form of rescuing abandoned children by loving adults who would bring them into their home and make them one of their very own. Equal rights. Equal inheritance. Equal love.

When we went through the adoption process with our three older children, the Judge made a point of making sure we understood that our adopted children were to be treated the same as our biological children, granting them the same rights, inheritance, and opportunities in life. He distinctly told us there was to be no difference, and if we couldn’t follow through with that, he would not sign the final decree.
Standing before a Judge and witnesses, we sore an oath … not so much before man but before God that our adopted children were now our children, every wit ours. Even at their ages (11, 12, and 15), they took our last name and became Rosses. Their past lives were erased from the court records and their new lives as our children and siblings of our biological children began that very same day.

Within two to three weeks, we received certified copies of their new birth certificates. Their original records had been sealed and we were now officially listed as their parents. Their birth certificates looked no different than the other three children.

Three biological and three adopted lived in the same house, ate at the same table, played in the same back yard, went to the same school, prayed at the same altar at church, and shared the same frustrations any large family would share. No longer were they abandoned, orphaned, or cast-aways … they had a home, a family, and a daddy’s last name.

What an incredible picture we see of Abba Avinu as He takes us to be His very own, seals our past so it is forgotten and inaccessible, and gives us His name.

No longer are we orphans of this world, cast-aways from sin and shame, abandoned, or forgotten. Rather, now we have His name, and our “birth certificates” now bear the name Abba Avinu as the Father’s name. Remarkable! Miraculous! Glorious!

Whether you’re an adopted child, an adoptive parent, or considering adoption, just know that it was all Abba Avinu’s idea, and what a glorious idea it is indeed. He understands the challenges, the joys, the pain, the victories, but most of all, He understands the undying commitment of a Parent to a child as He lavishes His love and mercy on us all.

Take note of all the similarities between your adoption experience and your relationship with Abba Avinu. It’s enough to cause us all to rejoice!