More Than Rescued

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To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests
to serve his God and Father
Revelation 1:5-6

The gospel is so utterly amazing! I have been reflecting recently on the truth that our inheritance in Christ is so much more than escaping hell and death through the cross. We were enemies of God (Romans 5:10), and it is completely breathtaking that He would sacrifice His own Son to set us free. But how much more does He lavish on us! If forgiveness weren't enough, He goes on to shower us with love and gifts. Only the best is good enough for God's children. Isaiah 54 talks about bringing Israel back to their homeland and building them with precious stones;

I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
Isaiah 54:11-12

When the prodigal son returns home in fear and trepidation the Father doesn't only forgive him, but calls for the best robe, and he gets the royal treatment (Luke 15:22). Simple forgiveness would have been enough for the son, but he got far more than he expected. So much so that the elder son felt completely put out.

God not only lifts us out of the mud and mire, giving us a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2), but He goes on to lift us up and seats us with Christ in heavenly places;

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2

Sometimes it's a struggle to even get to that place of feeling forgiven, I know that in my own life. But God is wanting us to know that we ARE forgiven. Any thoughts that we have to beg for forgiveness or wait for it are not from Him. We can receive it in a second. And moving on from forgiveness to future, He wants us to live as children of the King, experiencing His love, favour and Presence.