When was the last time you contemplated what God in Christ really did for you? To begin to fully grasp this incredible truth of the Gospel, you must be able to see what you were in need of before Jesus showed up. You were not in need of rehabilitation. You were not in need of restoration. You were not in need of rejuvenation. You were in need of rescue. Nothing short of rescue would do.
“He delivered us from the domain of darkness” Paul tells us, “and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). This is the language of rescue…not rehabilitation, restoration, or rejuvenation. It was only the rescue mission of God that freed Israel from slavery in Egypt. It is only the rescue mission of God that freed you from slavery to sin. In a word, you were rescued from yourself!
By God’s grace you were rescued out of one kingdom and into another kingdom. You were rescued from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. You were rescued from the kingdom of evil to the kingdom of good. You were rescued from the kingdom of death to the kingdom of life. You were rescued from your little kingdom where your heart is ruled by the pursuit of earthly treasures to His big kingdom where your heart is ruled by Jesus.
So which kingdom have you been living for lately? Which kingdom has meant more to you both in your personal life and your professional life? Which kingdom has been shaping your life and the lives of all those you lead and influence? The little kingdom of one, or the big kingdom of the One? When you are pursuing your dreams, your desires, and your delights you are serving the kingdom of one. But when you are pursuing His dreams, His desires, and His delights you are serving the kingdom of the One.
This is the place where you refuse to pursue anything smaller than God. This is the place where you refuse to use your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities in the service of your own little kingdom. This is the place where loving God becomes your first priority and loving others is a close second. This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT…AMEN!
Grace for the Race 