By Tesia Nagorka

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” – Ephesians 2:4-5

God loves you. Truly. His love isn’t like anything else in this world – it’s pure and complete. You don’t have to earn His love, and it never fades – it is constant. It never exhausts Him to love you – it is abundant. In fact, He willingly rescued you – even when your thoughts and heart were far from Him. While you were in darkness, brought on by sin, He sent His son to take your place. 

While on earth, Jesus walked in the full light of God’s truth. God’s Word is life, and His word was in Jesus. He walked in perfect relationship with God, as His son. And knowing God’s great love for us, Jesus gave Himself to purchase your freedom! 

But what does that mean?

Christ took your place in death. He took your place in separation from Him. That would have been enough to praise Him forever, but he did even more than that – He traded places with you! He took death and He gave you His life. He took separation and He gave you His relationship. In His great love, Christ paid the full price for us, so that all we have to do is receive this gift. When you accept Jesus into your heart, you receive all that Jesus bought for you. You are called a son and daughter of God! What a wonderful Savior! 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me.”  – Revelation 3:20

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  – 2 Corinthians 5:17

“And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”  – 2 Corinthians 6:18