WITH HIM SAFE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


". . .God. . .hath he quickened together with him. . ." Colossians 2:l2-l3


It is amazing to think that God has raised up His Son while at the same time has made like provisions for our resurrection.


How could we ever be invited to be a part of the same miracle power as Jesus Christ, the sinless One?


Yet we are. God raised up Jesus from the dead, while at the same time making such might available to all the bearers of the cross. We are quickened together with Christ Jesus. We are brought to life with our Redeemer.


However, it would be audacious to even conclude that we could share the same tomb let alone the same empty tomb with the Redeemer of the world. How can it be? We--clods of clay, rebellious to the teeth, set in our stubbornness and ignorant of all matters holy--are included in the resurrection presence with the One who took on our sins.


This is astounding gospel. Nevertheless, the Word informs us that this is exactly what occurs when we come into the redeeming power of the Creator God. He extends to us such absolute mercy that His housing becomes our
housing.


No wonder we should awaken each morning with such prostrate souls before the Sinless Sacrifice. Yet we claim Him as Monarch while serving ourselves to our own appetites. Nevertheless, once the truth of our comradeship with the Perfect Sacrifice truly dawns upon our spirits, we should never return again to such conceits.


From this moment onward, promise yourself and heaven that you will truly know your place before the God of the universe. You will not only testify to the gift of humility provided by the Spirit; you will live out the humility in actuality--particularly as such relates to the Lord Jesus.


Then you will live out that humility to the "least of these, my brethren," realizing that as you humble yourself before others, you are humbling yourself before the Lord.


Unburden yourself of your pride and take on the cross as you have never embraced it before this. In that cross you will discover the grace of a God who is willing not only to lift His Son out of the grave, but to bring you out of the grave by the same love. This divine compassion then is beyond our fathoming. No wonder we are left breathless when contemplating the cross, the
resurrection, the ascension and the workings out of the graces provided by such astounding gifts.


Loving Father in heaven bestows upon us such honor as to include our wayward, tawdry lives into the same envelope as the Son Jesus. Can it be? Yes, it is true.


God has raised Jesus from the dead. This same God has indeed raised us up "with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. . ." Colossians 2:l3.


Sing the Praise of such news. Let others know of the redemption scheme. But more importantly, thank heaven every time this inspired truth comes to mind so as to make your own Creator God's heart happy. There is nothing that we forget more than to return to our Lord God some sacrifice of gratitude by which to make the divine heart glad.


Do so now and forevermore. Amen.