You have the joy and privilege of knowing Him -- or being known by Him -- walking in His love and of making Him known in this world of darkness.

Hear

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13).

Believe

True freedom allows us to know and to be known. It also enables us to be generous and to look toward the needs of others. This is the idea behind Paul’s warning, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13).

Consider the apostle Peter. He denied the Lord three times. After he did, he wept bitterly. In his mind, he had disappointed Jesus and let Him down. He feared the worst – that the Lord would reject him. He learned something different after the resurrection. Jesus restored him by showing him the full extent of His love. He lifted Peter out of his despair and counted him worthy to feed His sheep. That’s grace.

This deep connection to the love of Christ compelled Peter to march from Joppa to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius and his household. Cornelius was a Gentile. Entering his house was a violation of Jewish law, but Peter entered anyway. God was at work in Peter’s heart, moving him to feed God’s sheep. Peter was willing to defile himself according to the traditions of the law because he had just learned something about the heart of God. He had learned that God is not partial, that His love and life are available to all.

Peter opened his mouth and told this Gentile family about God’s purpose for them in Christ. And they opened their hearts and received the gift of life. Peter knew the Lord. This heart knowledge changed and transformed him, and others responded to his unwavering message.

The gift of grace is Jesus Christ. You have the joy and privilege of knowing Him and walking in His love. You have the privilege of making Him known in this world of darkness. As Paul said, through your knowledge of Christ, you “shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15).

Live

Are you ready to take hold of this eternal life? Are you ready for God to align your heart with His? Are you ready to grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ? If so, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! You will soon find that there is nothing better than knowing Jesus Christ. He is your life.

Rejoice! In Christ, you know the God of the universe. Even more amazing, the God of the universe knows you. And as Jesus said, this is eternal life.