We read in Ephesians 2:4-5, “God, who is rich in mercy, made
us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it
is by grace you have been saved.” Beyond the riches of a resurrection
to eternal life (see “What about
His resurrection?”),
those who believe in Jesus Christ already have a rich life in Christ
because through Him they have identity, guidance, and purpose.
Identity:
It is only through the cross that we discover that our value is
not in ourselves, but in Christ’s declaration that
we are valuable to Him. It is through the cross we discover that
our identity is that we are beloved children of God.
Guidance:
Not only does the Bible reveal that in Christ we are children
of God, but it also reveals how to live as a child of
God—as
a husband or wife, a parent, a neighbor.
Purpose: Through Christ
we also have a reason to live. Psalm 115:1 says, “Not
to us, O LORD, not to us but to Your name give glory, because
of Your love and faithfulness!” Because of
God’s steadfast love and faithfulness as revealed to us
in Christ, we now live to show others what Christ and His love
mean
to us. We live to spread His name because of what He has done
upon the cross.
