We Are His Handiwork - Part 665

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. It is He that hath raised us up together and made us sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6) Because in Christ Jesus those of us who were once far away, have now been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)

Moreover, we have been justified through His blood. We have been raised from the death of sin to a brand new life in Jesus. We can now partake of His glory in heavenly places. Once dead in trespasses, Jesus -- through the shedding of His blood on the cross -- has made us whole. Restored us to the original spiritual place where we were intended to be from the beginning. Raised to a life of righteousness. Walking hand in hand daily with our Lord God and Saviour who loved us enough to shed His holy blood.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, we become renewed. God's handiwork newly created in Christ Jesus. We are risen as new creatures to walk with Jesus -- the risen Christ -- with our minds on heavenly things. (Colossians 3:1) A regenerated sinner restored to a new being -- new in Christ Jesus.

All because Almighty God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death. In reality, at the end of the day, it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. (Ephesians 1:20) Because there is no greater love than our heavenly Father -- the fullness of the Godhead bodily -- hanging on a cross so that we -- you and I -- might get to know Him personally. This is how much our Lord God and Saviour loves us. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16) And yet, still, He was willing to pay the ultimate price.

And then, as if His mercy and grace was not quite enough, Jesus encourages us to "labour to enter into His rest." (Hebrews 4:11) In other words, come out from the world and rest in the love and peace that passes all understanding. Thank you Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.