As believers we have an amazing past. As I say that, most of you are probably thinking about every stupid or horrible mistake you have ever made, all the regrets and guilt, and you are thinking, “I don’t know who how he lives his life, but I have a messy background.” Now it is true; there is a lot of shameful garbage that we don’t want to remember, and there are many things we don’t want anyone else to know, but there is also a glorious transformation we have undergone by the Holy Spirit. “We were dead in our trespasses and sins…but God, being rich in mercy made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:1-4). What a past! We were completely dead. We were enemies of the living God. Everything we did was in rebellion against the One who made us for Himself. There was no hope. We were in a war with God! Then the word “but” stepped in. Christ took our sin on the cross. He bore the wrath that was ours. He took our punishment for our rebellion. “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Everyday God reminds me of what He has done for me. Everyday I remember how He lifted me from the pit, from death, and from sin. I see the depth of my sin, but I also see the greater grace of my Savior.
As amazing as the past is, there is an even more glorious reality right now and still to come. What God has done is only the beginning. His real goal in the gospel was not to save us and then leave us alone. The cross was only the beginning for what God wants for us. Sin is atoned for. Death is defeated. We are sealed and filled with the Holy Spirit. God’s goal for our lives now is that we would be completely His in every action, in every moment in this life and in eternity. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Because of the cross we know that God has an intense desire to make our lives about Him and to give us pleasure like we have never experienced in Him. There is nothing that means more to the Father than His Son, Jesus. So if the Father crucified the Son, He has done the most unlikely thing imaginable. If God crucified Jesus, why would He not provide every other thing that we need to be wholly His and satisfied in Him. He broke down the prison we locked ourselves in. He freed us. Now it’s time to learn how to live like the free people of God. Our glorious future is God Himself. I wish I could find the words to express what my heart feels, but all language is far to weak to even attempt. My challenge to everyone, myself included, is to remember daily what God has done for us. Remember the cross. Remember what it means for us to have been purchased and redeemed, but don’t stop there. God is not finished. We are only beginning. God purchased us for a reason. His Son died and rose again so that we might experience Him as all in all. There is none higher. There is none better. Our Father is intimately involved with every aspect of our lives. Don’t compartmentalize yourself. Don’t be the person that says “hi” to God like He is some next door neighbor that helps you out from time to time. Passionately devote yourself to making His name known. Passionately devote yourself to worshiping the King of kings in everything you say, think, and do. Make God the center of your entire existence, and my promise, which is actually God’s promise, is that you will never regret it.
-Chris
