God saved us through the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ. He rescued us from the
darkness of sin—and certain destruction—by
the power of the blood of his Son. He
released us through Jesus from the prison
that would otherwise have kept us in captivity.
To quote King David, albeit in reference to a
different circumstance, “Such knowledge is
too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain
it” (Psalm 139:6). The truth that God did all
that he did in order to return us to him is
undeniably “too wonderful” for us to grasp. We
certainly “cannot attain it.” Our God bridged a
chasm that for us alone was unbridgeable. He
came down and crossed a divide that is
beyond human capability to traverse, and far
past human competency to fathom. God
traveled lengths to liberate us that we will
never have the ability to understand. This is
because God loves us perfectly and
completely. Even with our faults. Even in our
worst moments. Even when we do not love
him back. God loves us, cares for us, watches
over us. Even though we do not deserve it.
In Christ, God has done this. In Christ,
God set in motion his ultimate plan. God
determined that through his Son, Jesus, the
world will be reconciled to him. He decided
that, in Christ, people will not only know who
God is, but that we also will be able to come
to God through faith in that same Jesus
Christ. By the sacrifice of the Christ of God,
God put death on notice, saying that it would
no longer be the end for those who put their
faith in the resurrected Lord. Paul echoes this
reality, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1
Corinthians 15:54).
God’s perfect design included the
creation of a holy family. As Peter writes to
our ancient brothers and sisters (with
whom we will share eternity one day!),
surely recalling the Exodus and God’s
chosen people, “But you are a chosen
race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people for his own possession, that you
may proclaim the excellencies of him who
called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Those who
are in Christ are therefore also chosen in
Christ to be together. We are separated
from the world to be the family of God. We
are selected through faith in Jesus to share
together the blessings of family. The blood
of Christ binds us together. What an
immeasurable gift!
Since we are the people of God, since
we are family, blood family in Christ, holy
and chosen by the only true God, let us
live in accordance with that blessing. Let
us be people who love one another, care
for one another, serve one another, and
truly belong to one another. Let us be kind
to one another, compassionate to one
another, encouraging toward one another,
and present for one another.
In other words, let us be the church.
–Ricky