Redemption

One of our pastors was preaching just yesterday, and said something that made me not just think, but be filled with awe.

The message was about being joyful in Christ, or being filled with joy.  As one catechism would put it:  "What is the chief end of man?"    Answer:  The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

It's the enjoy him forever part that I'd like to focus on.  Both parts of that answer are challenging, and I certainly wonder in many many many cases how the first one can be true.  Being joyful in God, and enjoying Him now and forever seems so high and lofty that how can we?  I am bogged down by cleaning my tool shed, mowing the grass (when it grows), providing income via work for my family, fishing, driving, and whatever this list is for you.  Aren't we constantly struggling to reach for eternal values and viewpoints when we are stuck in the mire and daily activities of this life?

In other words, doesn't it seem like we spend most of our time doing things that aren't really important when compared to the eternal plan and glory of God?

So, to enjoy Him is right and good, and seems right and good; but how?

So, this is what my pastor said. 

It may seem odd to come at the thought of  "enjoying God forever" this way, but let's go back to the beginning of the world.  God is God, and there are no others.  He needs nothing from anyone or anything.  Sometime before he created the world, he created the angels.  These angels what must have been beautiful, loving beings, yet not God.  Both the angels, and people then are created by God for his glory.

Lucifer, the most brightly colored, most beautiful angel, rebels against God, and is sent from heaven.  Many angels follow Lucifer.  These angels have fallen.  They are against God now.

Jump forward to Adam and Eve, and you and I.  Adam and Eve fell in a similar fashion.  We are fallen, and sinners because Adam and Eve sinned so long ago.  All children are born with this sin nature, and are apart from God, and cannot make things right with Him.

These angels and people then are fallen, and need to make amends with their sinning against Him or face his wrath and justice.

God's plan from the beginning was to send His only son Jesus to be the redeemer.  This redeemer; however, would not offer his redemption to the angels who fell but only to His people.

Ask yourself why God would give you a redeemer, but not the angels?  They cannot make it right with God, and He is not going to offer anything to them.

Talk about encouraging, amazing, astounding, and completely gracious!  This is the God who saves you, by offering His own son, and particularly for YOU, not for others.  Oh how He loves.  How could we not enjoy this God forever?!