"For all you are sons of God thru faith in Christ Jesus."
-Sons of God. All in Christ are sons of God. Let that sink in. And at this point we need to put it in context. What we really are (or were), in our heart of hearts, in the very core of who we really are, is rebels. Enemies. Objects of wrath. Destined for destruction. Forever separated from the life of God, falling short of His glory. Separated. Estranged. We were enemies and strangers, excluded from any experience whatsoever of God’s breathtaking goodness (apart from the common grace which all of God’s creation can access). What we deserve(d) is judgment, condemnation, eternal separation from the gloriously good God of love, consigned forever to the outer darkness reserved for the devil and his demonic hordes. Yet what we get, is a Father...
-Sons of God. I will say it again - sons (AND daughters) of almighty God. Thru Jesus Christ. This was the promise - God wanted to bring us in to His house, into His forever family. No longer strangers to the promises, and not as mere houseguests. Neither is this some form of temporary foster care - we are full-fledged permanent members of the royal family. Protection, provision, promises, privileges, and the Perfect Parent. Permanently. It's the ultimate lifetime membership. Full access, full privileges, fully heirs (more on that in v. 29) - on some kind of mind-blowing, unforeseen level footing with the Son, Who is our Brother. Jesus is our Brother, and God Himself is our Father, our heavenly Daddy! We know Him personally and relate to Him (by His Spirit) as His children. We approach Him now not from a distance nor in any kind of awkward estrangement or unfamiliarity, but freely, openly, confidently, intimately - completely accepted and fully loved. Through Jesus. (We do also approach with reverence and a healthy dose of fear and trembling - He is, after all, not a tame lion...) But yes, thru Christ, through what He accomplished on the Cross. And by placing our complete trust in that, in His sacrifice, through faith in Him. Not by any religious work or ritual or any amount of self-effort. Totally by faith, totally accepted, totally in. Amazing love, amazing grace - how can it be...?
No comments:
Post a Comment