He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:5-6

I was born one way on March 16th, 1954, but many years later, I was re-born as a brand-new person.  I didn’t look that different on the outside, but I was completely transformed on the inside. The enemy could no longer see any traces of my sins.  All proof of his prior ownership ceased to exist. The chains fell away along with my sin-stained soul.   With confidence, I could cry out, ‘Abba Father.’ This new name of endearment was evidence that the curse of sin and death had been reversed. No one could use the name except for true children of the Father.

In that beautiful moment of my legal spiritual adoption, the Holy Spirit was poured out by Abba Father, seeping into my every spiritual pore.  My soul absorbed Him like a sponge, so thirsty was I for everything that He was.  You’re mine,” He said.  I came to life as He spoke each word deliberately.  His love became my new source of energy.  No longer would I have to generate a reservoir of gritty resolve to do right and live right. The power of love and my new identity overcame me, and flowed continually like a river.  

When we are born again and the Spirit enters us ~ and then impels us to cry the intimate family name “Abba! Father!” ~ we surely sense the climax to the redemption story.

There is more eloquence in the words ‘Abba, Father,’ than in all the orations of Demosthenes or Cicero put together! Martin Luther