All Praise to God

Revelation 1:5-6 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

" Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen."

What a set of verses to meditate on. Consider here the love of God in Christ towards us. " He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood"... But it doesn't stop there, although it could have. It goes on "6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—" He has made us a kingdom and priests to serve His Father. Might I say here that is what the salvation experience is all about, being brought into a relationship with the Father, one of obedience.

God the Father went into a rebellious and hostile human race to take out for Himself a people to serve Him as priests, a people to be in His Kingdom, under His rule, who would honor and obey His Word in their lives. God the Holy Spirit set those very people, whom the Father had chosen, apart from the world, and unto the sprinkling blood of Christ for the cleansing from sin and into a relationship of obedience to the Father. As God the Father would have it He has spoken in these last days through His Son, and we obey Him as we obey all that His Son has taught (the Law of Christ).

God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. He brought us into a relationship with Himself. We were once hostile to Him and His Word. No more. Thanks to the work of Christ on the cross. As Peter said to his Jewish audience, a message that all the world has reason to rejoice for "Acts 3:25-26 (New International Version)

25And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.'[a] 26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

"Turning each of you from your wicked ways". Paul sums it up well, "And having been set free from sin, you became slaves o f righteousness". Romans 6:18. Folks that is what eternal life looks like, its recipients are slaves of righteousness, not perfect mind you, but headed in the right direction.

And now dear reader, have you come into a relationship with the Father through His Son? His Son suffered and died for sin. His blood is the only sacrifice for sin. Christ died to pay for sin with His blood. He rose again three days later, a testimony to the world that the Father accepted His sacrifice. Do you believe this? Then His command to you is to repent, meaning to turn from your selfish, self-seeking life style, and surrender to His rule in your life. Christ died to set you free from sin's penalty and dominion to be a servant of the Father. And we shall be with Him forever.