Much like when the Son of man called forth Lazarus from his dead and rotting state, those who have hoped in Christ have been spiritually called out of their dead and rotten state of wickedness. The King of the universe whose power knows no end, has intimately known His people before this world ever knew Him. And the King of Kings has personally called His people out of the darkness of evil and into His marvelous light. This is merely the beginning of His infinite goodness and long-suffering toward us. All of God’s people who were once His bitter enemies have been freed from their rebellion and carry His name. One cannot carry another’s name unless they belong in the family and hence it is with God’s people. We carry His name and represent Him, The Lord Almighty, who has mercifully accepted us into His family. But let us not glory in our situation, adoption, blessing, or reconciliation with God. No, let us glory in our Redeemer who has purchased our pardon by becoming a curse for us and mercifully bestowing on us all spiritual blessing!
Our creation as God’s people is for HIS GLORY. What arrogance and terrible mistakenness it is to believe that we as humans have some kind of irresistible value that God just could not live without. No, we cannot live without God. There is nothing that we can boast about for there is nothing that we have that has not been graciously given to us by God. He does not need us or anything from us. However, while God needs nothing from us He has chosen to display the magnitude of his glorious grace and immeasurable love to us and through us. We oft say and display that we love God but only because He loved us first. We oft worship God but only because He has given us the knowledge of His glory. We oft thank Him but only because He has made all things and upholds all things by the word of His power. All of this is only possible through Jesus Christ. The messiah who bore our sins and took all our shame and guilt upon Himself and willingly let Himself be nailed to the cross, is the One whom we glory in! If we are in Christ, what else is there that we should be living for? We are created for God’s glory. He has shown us his glory in the face of Christ. He has shown us love in that He sent Christ to be the wrath absorbing sacrifice in our place. He has shown us His power in that through Christ all things consist.
Are you living as the chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation that has been created for HIS OWN possession to proclaim the Excellencies about Him? We who hope in Christ are to live for the praise of His glory. We have done nothing and deserve none of the credit. There is nothing to admire, boast, brag, proclaim, praise, or worship except Christ. He is Lord over all the heavens and earth. He suffered and died and rose again so that all who might repent and believe might be freed from their sins and live a life to the praise and worship of God’s glorious grace. As a believer in Christ your purpose is to live to glorify the One who has redeemed you from the curse. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
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