Wonder of Wonders!

Reading through Colossians in preparation for a couple of messages, and I was reminded of things I have forgotten--three privileges for me because I belong to Jesus. They all begin with (R).

I have been rescued! One of my earliest memories is that of being in the bottom of a swimming pool in California (maybe I was 5?), and my mom diving down to get me. Childhood memories being what they are, how much in danger I was I do not know. But still.... Note what Paul said in Colossians 1:13--I have been rescued/delivered from the dominion of darkness (Satan's realm)!

I have been redeemed! I was once a slave to sin and to my own desires. But I have been bought with a price--that of the blood of God's one and only Son. Through this redemption, I have received the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14).

I have been reconciled! Once an enemy of God and hater of all that was opposed to self, I have been brought into a relationship with God who has now become my Father. this too was at the cost of Jesus' death (Colossians 1:22).

Easy to read this and forget this important fact. These are not something that I achieved. These are what God did for ME, even when I was his enemy. Even when I was still a sinner, Jesus died for ME.

Jesus is described in rich terms in Colossians 1:15-20. I challenge you (and I want to do this too) to take one phrase a day, beginning from verse 15, meditate on it, and pray to God over it. This is the Jesus whose Father rescued, redeemed, and reconciled me!