. . .May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom (through his blood) and forgave our sins (Colossians 1:12b-14).
In the last article, we discovered that thinking about Jesus as our intermediary naturally leads to consideration of his salvific actions. Thus, it is normal to contemplate the outcome of Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice.
A primary, natural, response to salvation in Christ Jesus is joy. We should be people of joy regardless of our visible circumstance. Moreover, we should be continually be giving thanks to the Father who has drawn us to himself through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:18). And why give thanks? For one thing, salvation in Jesus has enabled us to share in the inheritance of God’s people. Paul talks about this in his letter to the church in Galatia, saying, for you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:26-29).
In Jesus, we are people of the light. Our lives have hope, purpose and meaning. We know right according to God’s word and we are able to live it (cf. Philippians 2:12-13). No longer are we in bondage to the dark powers of Satan and his minions. Instead, we are citizens and participants in the glorious kingdom of God. That kingdom starts here and now as each Believer brings their own life and sphere of influence under the lordship of King Jesus. In so doing we begin to enjoy the inheritance that belongs to the people of God. Our own lives in order. Peaceful and productive families. Friendly and supportive neighborhoods. Civil society characterized by wisdom and integrity.
All of this is possible because of Jesus our Savior. He shed his blood to shatter the shackles of sin and death. He died to satisfy the perfect justice of God and to wash us clean of sin – both the sin nature and the sins we have committed personal. Apart from Jesus’ representation, there is no hope for mankind. For, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him (cf. John 14:6).