^“He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.14)

It might seem like a strange thing to say but there can be no greater glory bestowed upon anyone than upon the one who surrendered His life on a cross for all of mankind. I think we often forget that the sacrifice Jesus made is only one part of the story. He could not make such a sacrifice until He had lived a perfect life, completely free from sin. That part took about 33 years. Then came the sacrifice which consisted of unjustified and unthinkable pain and suffering. Having endured that on our behalf Jesus ascended to glory to be seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

I get that. Jesus deserved His seat in heaven. He lived the perfect, sin free life He was called to live. We haven’t – not even one of us. We are so steeped in sin that without Jesus we can never consider ourselves remotely worthy of a place anywhere near Him in heaven. And yet, Paul tells us, we are offered a place with Him to share in His glory (see v.14).

Such is the love and grace of God that He is prepared to accept the word of Jesus as sufficient evidence that our guilt has been dealt with as He says, “I’ve paid for this one!” That is enough for us to be received into the glory of heaven to share it with Jesus who defeated the undefeatable quagmire of sin the world sits in.

This is the gospel of truth that Jesus died for you and me so that we might share in His glory in the blissful, eternity of heaven. Praise His holy name now and always. Amen.

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Questions:

Who do you know who needs to know this good news? Who needs the gospel which is the good news of salvation? What are you doing to share it with them before it’s too late?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I give you thanks and praise for Your extraordinary gift of salvation. I receive that gift once again and ask that You would bless me with the sure and certain knowledge that I have been saved from my burden of sin. Lead me, Lord, to those who have not heard and do not know about salvation in You that all whom I know and love might be saved. I ask in Your mighty name. Amen.