The Ancient Paths : Peace

Knowing “Abba Ho Pater” – the Gateway to Peace

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27

What an interesting and exciting season in Christ we are in right now, huh?

We said Covid would pass, and it has for now. On to some other challenges such as inflation, geological ailments and political and social unrest; things we already knew would be coming as part of Father’s loving Hand of correction. (Link here)

To make things more interesting, we are part of a Church generation where the pulpit teaches New Testament correction is unbiblical, and independent platforms won’t touch it because it hurts our Likes, Subscribers, Shares, and overall popularity. I guess this makes sense.. “How can I carry out the work of Jesus if I am not liked?” 

It is very interesting then that I am perceiving, as well as hearing, more and more children of God trying desperately to find peace and rest. 

Someone recently asked me, “David, why is it that so many Christians talk about the power of God, the redemption of God, the deliverance of God, but I just don’t see it?”

The answer is not complicated. All of the fruits of the Kingdom are tied to the nature of our relationship with God. Intimacy and holiness are interconnected, and these are the paths (or gateways) to Peace. 

Consider this:

In Heaven, where we look to experience great intimacy, we know we will be holy. Jesus, the perfect picture of intimacy with Father-God, was perfect holiness. 

So…

Why has the Church attempted to silence anyone who has a word from God on holiness?

Why has the Church attempted to alienate and discredit anyone who teaches on repentance?

Holiness is an ancient path to great intimacy.  Enoch, Moses, David; I dunno, maybe even a prophet here and there. Jesus…? Mic drop.

There was a time when messages on repentance and holiness brought in the big bucks. Just being honest. Paul mentioned this in his generation as well:

“The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition…But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.” Phil 1:18

Today, the drive to keep building our “ministry” (whether that be a physical building or a digital platform) is what is determining the topics brought up in bible studies, cell groups, satellite programs, blogs, social media videos, and of course, the pulpit. 

Let’s face it. Many of us do not have the stomach to fast, workout, or look at scary heart issues. 

God still, and always will, love us fully. Always.

But, let us stop whining about how we want to walk like mighty men and women of God. Let’s stop the charade.  We get what we want. We get to reap the harvest of whatever seeds we sow into: relationship with others and with God at the top of that list. 

However, for those who want to count the cost, I will point you to an Ancient Path. Look to the term “Abba Father.”

The term Abba Father is used only 3 times in scripture. 

2 times to describe what was given to us through Jesus. Once by Jesus Himself, speaking as a man, to our mutual Father. 

“the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Rom 8:15

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Gal 4:6

Both these verses reveal that it is being made the righteousness of God; being seen forever as Holy to Father, that we have access to His heart.

 The Greek words here are literally “Abba ho Pater.”  “Dad, the Father. “

Abba– term of deep relational intimacy 

Pater – term of great respect to an ancestor / elder / patriarch with reverence.

For the most part, within the Church, one camp teaches only  “Abba.” The other camp teaches only “Pater.”

The Abba camp will produce a love for God without real reverence or honor. We know earthly children like this. They love their Dad, but they really do not respect him. How intimate can this kind of relationship really be?

The other camp knows only Pater. This alone, will bring forth condemnation, legalism and self-condemnation. 

Jesus walked in the true Kingdom knowledge and power of both. Jesus had perfect love and perfect reverence to Father-God. Paul understood what Jesus gave us; namely the same invitation Jesus has with God The Father. If we are not willing to go down this path to learn what it means to know God in great tenderness, intimacy, as well as with great reverence and holiness and honor… Well, then we will never be able to cry “Abba, Pater!!” from a place of experiential reality. 

“Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

The same place where Isaac laid down his life, trusting His father to do what is best, is the same mountain Jesus finished that work, laying down His life, trusting Father. The.. same.. mountain. Abba ho Pater is mentioned 3 times, but we see the application in every child of God who knows Him intimately, both in scripture, as well as those who have walked the Earth since. 

What mountain are we on? What are we doing on this mountain? What are we trusting in?

Summary

No, I am not going to teach on holiness now. Today is a heart message. 

The Church is being called to decide. Are we willing to count the cost and dig into what it takes to have a well-rounded, deep and powerful relationship with God that looks like Jesus looked on the Earth?

Or… do we want something else more? This is not even about what Father deserves (oh no.. no way.. that goes down a teaching path on holiness. I am not touching that today)

“What king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.” Luke 14:31-32

For the love of mercy! Let’s stop whining and complaining about what we are not. Let’s live our lives firmly rooted in the full knowledge and understanding that the soil of our walk is growing only what we are planting. 

Please remember: God loves us fully either way!

The context of this message is not about how much He loves us (which is limitless). This is about the cry coming from within the body of Christ. Father is hearing this cry, and longingly trying to address it. 

Let’s decide if we are going to heal, mature, and conquer, or if we are going to make more treaties. One way or another, let’s just be done with it, brothers and sisters. Covid was a time to camp and heal. That time has passed. Camp is struck. Jesus is quietly placing His captains into places of greater authority. This is a season of promotion and movement. 

For those of us not willing? Don’t hate. Don’t allow Satan’s bitter roots of jealousy to find a foothold  in those unredeemed areas in our heart (this is what Father has been trying to get at, remember?). Our life. Our walk. Our choice. 

For those listening, this is what Father is doing. It will always come with a cost. The Kingdom cost is never greater than the Kingdom treasure that will be revealed.

Shalom~

David