Indeed, when we understand the greatest love story every told, and begin to know that this whole world was constructed so that God could invite unto Himself a family, our understanding of who we are and our purpose in Him should be humbling. Why? Because we come to the heart place wherein we learn how precious we are to Him -- that He would come into the world -- all the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Christ Jesus -- so that we could have abundant life in Him.
This is the manifold wisdom of God -- that He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord a redemption plan so that we -- His creation -- could experience wholeness and completeness in Him. A salvation plan so extensive and far reaching that He continues to invite those outside of the fold into the body of Christ family. Hid in God from the foundation of the world and yet designed in such a way that when we do decide to come to Him in our broken state, His abundant love that is beyond measure fills our hearts, making us whole again.
But to be whole, as He intended for you and I from the very beginning, full of His joy and peace, we need to understand that the Great Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep. And when He did, He tore the vail from heaven to earth. He provided a means for us all to be reconciled to Him.
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5:18-20)
O how much the cost -- for the Lord of glory to look at His rebellious people and still willingly lay down His humanity for His beloved. As Peter standing with the eleven declared on the day of Pentecost, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)
That message alone should prick our hearts to consider His abundant and all comprehensive love for you and I.
"For God so loved ..." (John 3:16)
"After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4)
His Name in this current dispensation of grace is JESUS for He shall (and has) saved His people from their sins. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) This is why the Lord sees not as man sees -- the outward appearance -- but rather, He examines our hearts to see who will surrender the seeming obligations and intents of this world to follow Him.
He who is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 1:8)
If you haven't already, I plead with you to ask Jesus to be both Lord and Christ within your heart. Ask the Lord Jesus to pick up the pieces of your broken heart and make you whole once again -- as He fully intended for His beloved from the very beginning. Find a New Testament and begin reading how the Lord God of the heavens -- this same creator of the universe took on sin-prone flesh (but without sin) so that we could personally know His goodness and mercy and love that surpasses all human understanding. Let Him fill you with His Spirit so that your cup can runneth over with His joy.
Stand in the offering plate.
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