What is it about us that would cause God to go to such extreme measures on our behalf? His plan for us from the beginning was to enjoy unending companionship together. And He refuses to be denied the pleasure of seeing His plan come to pass. When He sees us, He sees all we can be in Jesus Christ. And when He sees the world, He sees all each person in it could be in Christ.
When we realize this, we see as God sees. It will lift us into intimate fellowship with Him. It will lift our personal dignity and self-esteem. We gain a new belief about our worth because we see ourselves lifted by His love. Not only does it change our self-perception, but it also changes the way we see others. We begin to see the worth of people everywhere, because we see what they can become in Christ.
In Titus 2:14, Paul expresses it this way under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works” (KJV).
This redemption brings purity with it. The terminology, “to purify for Himself a peculiar people” has been largely misunderstood, but when examined, it reinforces exactly what we have been looking at.
The word peculiar does not describe people who act ridiculous or strange but, rather, people who belong to God, who are His possession: “…then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people” (Exodus 19:5 KJV). God was saying that His people, Israel, would be a treasure to Him above all other nations. This places us into the same pure fellowship that God intended when He placed man in the Garden.
The real tragedy is that today there are Christians who recognize their union in Christ, but have no communion with Christ. Through simple faith and acceptance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us, a union has taken place. We have been united with God, but the union alone is not the end of God’s plan. Remember, He longed to fellowship with us. Fellowship becomes the communion. Our pursuit for fellowship with the Lord is what makes our union with Him vibrant and alive.
It is a sad reality that God is no more real to many Christians than He is to unbelievers. These Christians have accepted the union, but denied God their communion. Notice John 15:4 from the Wuest translation:
“Maintain a living communion with me, and I with you. Just as the branch is unable to be bearing fruit from itself as a source unless it remains in a living union with the vine, so neither you, unless you maintain a living communion with me.”
Just as a branch draws its life-giving sap from the vine, you can draw from the flow of God’s life through your intimate times of communion in His Word and prayer. Your confidence with God will remain steadfast and unwavering when you allow yourself the privilege of consistent communion and fellowship with your Heavenly Father.
