By Amy Peterson, Office Manager, River of Life Church
The cross isn’t to be a reminder of what an awful sinner we once were but it is a place where God redeemed us to our original sonship. Jesus did die for our sins so that we could be reunited with the Father. However, there is more to what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and in His burial, and in His resurrection than just getting us to heaven. He was unveiling our identity, our purpose for being on this earth. We were made in His image. We were made to be just like Him.
John 1:18 (Mirror Translation)
Until this moment God remained invisible; now the authentic, incarnate begotten Son, the blueprint of our design who represents the innermost being of God, the Son who is in the bosom of the Father, brings him into full view. He is the official authority qualified to announce God. He is our guide who accurately declares and interprets the invisible God within us.
As John 1:18 says, … Jesus was the blueprint of our design. We can look at Jesus and see ourselves as in a mirror. Jesus lived to make the Father known, by walking in power, authority, joy, peace, and love.
It’s God’s desire to be a visible God. We have the privilege of making Him visible on this earth. As we get to know Him more through spending time with Him, truth is then revealed to us and then we express Him and His heart as we live our lives, thus making Him a visible God.
Yes, we have free will to live our lives the way we want. But why would anyone want to live a life apart from God, who loves us and wants the best for us? As we surrender and make Him Lord of our life, He in return gives us His life. He didn’t create us and then leave us to fend for ourselves. He created us to commune with Him, to be in relationship with Him. He created us to live this life on earth more abundantly, without guilt or shame, and with power and in love.
Would love to see you at River of Life Church, located at 410 E. Chapman Rd., Lutz every Sunday at 10:30am and every Wednesday at 7:00pm. For more information go to www.roltampa.org.