You are God's foremost visible creature. In all of God's creation you are the creature that was made in His image. You are God's most beloved creature. You are created to have an intimate relationship with God. All of God's amazing creation supports and sustains your existence. Every day of creation was planned to support you. God made this world for you. You are precious to God. You are God's foremost visible creature.

 

You are a sinner. God's creatures rebelled against their creator. The creature desired autonomy. The creature was enticed by the illusion of power and control. Since the original creature scorned the creator all people are born and conceived in sin. Not only is the creature born and conceived in sin but everyone of God's foremost visible creatures disrespect their creator daily. The creature disobeys the creator. The creator richly and daily provides for you his creature. He provides guidelines for living together. He makes a covenant with his creatures and the creature lives a life that neglects and fails to recognize the creator.  You are a sinner. You live as an enemy of the creator God. You do not love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind. You do not love your neighbor as yourself. You compound your sin by denying your God. You fail to worship your God. You fail to honor the creator who gives you all good gifts. You are a sinner.

 

You are reconciled to God. The creator God never stops loving his foremost visible creature. He makes a covenant with his creature and then you do not keep the covenant. The creator sends the Law as a guide for living in relationship to God. You disobey the covenant. God sends the prophets to call you to repentance.  You fail to repent. You deserve nothing from God but his wrath and eternal damnation.

 

You are reconciled to God. The prophets called you to repentance. They also pointed to one who would redeem the people of God. The Old testament points to a time when God would send a Savior. Jesus is your Savior.  He comes and suffers and dies. He carries the wrath of God to the cross. He suffers for your sin.  God's Son takes your punishment to the cross. He becomes sin. You are declared righteous. God's Son dies. You are reconciled to God as a beloved child.

 

You are a chosen and redeemed children of God. You are heirs of the eternal glory. You are a royal priesthood and holy nation. You are those who carry the Word of God to all nations. You are victorious in Christ. You are those who give reason for the hope you have.

It is important that you remember who you are.  You are God's foremost visible creature.  You are created in the image of God.  You are a sinner.  You are deserving of God's judgement.  You are the redeemed and chosen children of God.  Through the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross you are reconciled to God.  You are declared righteous.  You are forgiven and loved.  You are equipped with gifts to share the hope you have in Christ.  You are the people of God.  You are the body of Christ.  Celebrate who you are.