Living Water #626

LIVING WATER – EPISODE 626 || 20TH FEBRUARY, 2026

By Solomon Uwumbolibe Mensah

THE CRY OF “ABBA”

Scripture Reading:Galatians 4:6–7

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”  Galatians 4:6–7

Brothers and sisters, these two verses carry a revolution in just a few lines. They tell us who we were, who we are, and what we now possess in Christ. They move us from slavery to sonship, from fear to intimacy, from poverty to inheritance.

Let us walk through this transformation together.

1. From Slavery to Sonship: Paul reminds us that we were once slaves. Slaves live under obligation and in fear. They obey because they must, not because they love. Slaves have no inheritance; only duty. Spiritually, slavery can look like trying to earn God’s approval, living under constant guilt and shame, believing that God merely tolerates you rather than delights in you, or obeying out of fear of punishment rather than love. But Paul declares, “You are no longer a slave.” Not that you might not be, or that you could be free someday, but that you are no longer a slave. Through Christ, your status has changed. Salvation is not merely forgiveness; it is adoption. God did not simply release you from chains; He brought you into His family.

2. The Spirit of His Son in Our Hearts: Notice something beautiful: “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” This is not external religion or behavior modification; this is internal transformation. The same Spirit who lived in Jesus now lives in you. The same relationship Jesus had with the Father is now shared with you. And what does the Spirit cry out? “Abba, Father.” “Abba” is deeply personal and intimate. It is the cry of a child who feels safe. It is not distant, formal, or cold. It is not “Ruler,” “Judge,” or “Authority.” It is “Father.” The Spirit inside you teaches your heart to trust God not as a master, but as a loving Father. When you pray, you are not approaching a courtroom; you are coming home.

3. The End of Fear-Based Living : If God is your Father, then fear loses its grip. Children may stumble, but they are still children. They may fail, but they are still loved. They may wander, but they still belong. You do not wake up each morning wondering if you are still part of God’s family. Your sonship is not based on your performance; it is based on Christ’s finished work. Slavery says, “I must work to be accepted.” Sonship says, “I am accepted, therefore I obey.” This changes everything. It changes how you pray, how you worship, how you handle failure, and how you see yourself.

4. Not Just Children — Heirs : Paul does not stop at calling you a child; he goes further and says that since you are His child, God has made you also an heir. An heir receives what belongs to the Father. And what belongs to your Father? His love, His promises, His presence, His kingdom, eternal life, and glory with Christ. You are not spiritually impoverished; you are spiritually rich beyond measure. You may feel weak, but your inheritance is secure. The world may not recognize your identity, but heaven does.

5. Living Like Sons and Daughters : If this is true; and it is; then how should we live? We are called to live with confidence, not arrogance, but security. We are called to live with freedom, not rebellion, but joyful obedience. We are called to live with hope, because heirs have a future. And we are called to live with intimacy, speaking to our Father and bringing Him our fears, doubts, failures, and dreams. The Spirit within you is already crying, “Abba.” You are not trying to climb up to God; He has brought you in. You are not knocking at a stranger’s door; you are standing in your Father’s house.

Today, some of you may still be living like slaves even though you are sons and daughters. You may be carrying guilt Christ already bore or striving for approval you already have. Hear the Word of the Lord: You are no longer a slave. You are God’s child. And because you are His child, you are an heir. Let the Spirit within you cry out again, “Abba, Father,” and live as who you truly are.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am no longer a slave but Your child. Thank You for sending the Spirit of Your Son into my heart, teaching me to call You “Abba.”.” You helped me to live in the freedom, confidence, and hope that come from belonging to You. You removed fear from my heart and replaced it with trust. You taught me to walk as an heir of Your promises and to rest in Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.