“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. (Romans 3:23-24)
Through our rebellion we have broken our relationship with God, having refused to obey Him, and having disregarded His law from the beginning. At one point in history He chose Abraham to be the father of a people who would obey, and God would care for them—Israel. But this nation was no different than the others. Yet God desired that the promises He had made to this people would be fulfilled, although He didn’t ignore either their sins or those of neighbouring peoples. How does God remain faithful to his covenant? In His Son, Jesus Christ, who in obedience to God’s will lived and died. He redeemed Israel and all people from sin and guilt. His satisfaction of God’s justice is applied to those who believe in Him. Through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ we can be reconciled to God, and our relationship with our Creator is purified. Do you share this reconciliation by the work of the Spirit? If you do, you know what an unspeakably precious gift your relationship with God is.