There are many names used to describe God in the Holy Scriptures. While all His names are important in many ways, the name “Abba” is one of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates with mankind. The word Abba is an Aramaic word that means “Daddy” in common parlance. It is a loving name that young children use to address their father. This name shows the intimate relationship that exists between father and child, and it conveys the absolute trust children have in their fathers.

It is important to recognise that although all those who believe in the Almighty can call Him God, not all of them can call Him Abba. Who then can refer to the Almighty as Abba? Only those who have the boldness to call Him “Daddy”. These are people who believe in Jesus, the Son of the Living God, and in the work of atonement He has accomplished for all mankind (John 1:12-13). Galatians 4:6 says,
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Furthermore, only those who honour God as a child honours his or her daddy can call the Almighty Abba. Malachi 1:6a says,
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour?”
Your attitude towards God as a Father will determine whether you can call Him Abba, because Abba is an appellation that confirms your intimate relationship with the Almighty. You may want to ask: How can I honour God as Abba? You honour Him by keeping His commandments. Some so-called children of God erroneously believe that grace means lawlessness. They couldn’t be further from the truth (Romans 6:1-2)! There are many blessings we receive when we are true children of the Great Abba. In Genesis 17:1, Abba Father declared Himself as the Almighty God. Because He is almighty, He grants His children their requests and daily loads them with blessings (Psalm 3:4, Psalm 68:19). Beloved, do you belong to this loving Daddy? I congratulate you if indeed the Almighty God is also your Abba. However, if your attitude towards Him is that of total disregard for His person or blatant disobedience to His commandments, then you need to change your ways today. You stand to lose a whole lot if you don’t have God as your Father.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.