And we pray that you would be energized with all his explosive power from the realm of his magnificent glory, filling you with great hope. Your hearts can soar with joyful gratitude when you think of how God made you worthy to receive the glorious inheritance freely given to us by living in the light. He has rescued us completely from the tyrannical rule of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom realm of his beloved Son. For in the Son all our sins are canceled and we have the release of redemption through his very blood. He is the divine portrait, the true likeness of the invisible God, and the firstborn heir of all creation. For in him was created the universe of things, both in the heavenly realm and on the earth, all that is seen and all that is unseen. Every seat of power, realm of government, principality, and authority—it all exists through him and for his purpose! He existed before anything was made, and now everything finds completion in him. He is the Head of his body, which is the church. And since he is the beginning and the firstborn heir in resurrection, he is the most exalted One, holding first place in everything. For God is satisfied to have all his fullness dwelling in Christ. And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again!
This scripture brought me so much peace and comfort this morning. It was like a breath of fresh air. It’s such a great instruction for us on how to live. We are to live in joyful gratitude because the Lord made us worthy to receive a glorious inheritance -- not because of anything we did, but because of who He is. His gift of salvation and redemption is a reflection of His character and goodness, not ours. And knowing that should just settle a humility on us in the way that we look at even those we consider to be our adversaries - political or otherwise. Because our Lord Jesus died for them too. Even if they are not living yet in the gift of salvation that He provided, it does not make them any less worthy than us. We are not the measuring stick. He is. And all have fallen short of the glory of God. But He has made a way. I was also so encouraged by the reminder that every seat of power and every realm of government exists through Him and for His purpose. So we are here, working for Dad, working for the King, doing our best to do a good job, to operate honorably and I am confident that it will accomplish His purposes as long as it all comes back to Him - all we do is through Him and for him.
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