Jesus died on the cross. It is because of this that we can call God
Jesus radically stated in Matthew 6 to pray a certain way. That way starts out with "Our Father.” But you knew that. You have said that prayer before. No big deal. Imagine the crowds’ reaction when Jesus said that. He was changing everything they knew about how to relate with God. And now he wanted them to call him Father.
Think of your sins for a minute.
What about that really bad sin?
Yeah, that one.
God knows about it.
And you know what? It didn't surprise him. Before you were even born, he was working on undoing the effects of that sin.
God willingly took that sin, as well as the rest of them, and put them on his shoulders, walked up to that cross and died for you.
Do you remember what he said right before he died?
"It is finished."
Why did he say that?
He said that because this was his plan all along. This was his plan for your life. This was his plan to save you.
Amen?
That's not all.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Ephesians 1:3-4
You are now holy and blameless before God. Because of the blood of Jesus, the Judge of the universe has now declared you not guilty! All that bad crap you did in your life. GONE. God redeemed you of all your sins! ALL OF THEM!! Even the ones you haven’t done yet.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
This is enough, right? I mean, God came down from heaven and took away your sin and died for you so that you can be holy and blameless before him. That's good enough for me! But God doesn't stop there.
It gets even better.
Not only did he save you. He has now adopted you as his son or as his daughter. Seriously. This is the greatest gift he could have possibly given you. Do you get that? Can you fathom just how sweetly awesome that is?? Not only are you holy and blameless and forgiven, you are now an adopted child of God.
In love, he predestined you for adoption through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:5
He loves you. And not because "he so loved the world" and you are in the world, therefore, he loves you. No. I am talking about a love even greater. The kind of love he has for you is like the love a father has for his child.
He loves you because you are his. Can you understand this love? If you have a child, then you will be able to relate better. If not, imagine you have a child. He or she will be the only person you ever fall in love with before you even meet him or her. Wow. That is how God loves you!
Imagine being a daddy (or a mommy) for the first time. You are standing in that hospital room with this minutes-old infant sleeping in your arms. How do you feel? I bet you are feeling a love you have never before experienced. An overwhelming love for your child.
That's how God loves you. You are cherished. He is so in love with you. He delights in you.
See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God. 1John 3:1
As if that weren't enough…
He saved you. He adopted you. And guess what else?
You are an heir to the Kingdom. What!? Do you know what that means?? Not only will you be let into God's Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven. IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU. You are an heir with Christ. Hello?! Get it now?? You will be given the Kingdom of Heaven. He loves you that much!
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons and daughters, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. Romans 8:15-17
You are God's son or daughter and he loves you. Embrace it. Receive it. Be blessed!
