If you are a Christian, it is no random accident! You are in Christ because that is what Father God wanted. Indeed, you have been wanted for a long time, even before the world was made - God knew that He wanted you to belong to Him and the matter was discussed between Father, Son and Holy Spirit who agreed the plan. The Father has always loved you and planned that Jesus Christ should die to take the punishment for your sins. The Holy Spirit would enable you to hear and respond to the gospel, so that you might be made a child of God and be with God for ever (John 3:16)! That divinely agreed plan, to welcome you into God's Kingdom, was the start of all the spiritual blessings which have been reserved for you (Ephesians 1:3).

It is nice to be wanted by people and we all long to be included with them. But when it comes to God wanting to include us in His eternal purposes, 'nice' is such a limp word for the immense privilege of being the object of His desire. It is not only a matter of privilege, though, because God always has an eternal purpose in mind with everything He thinks and says. He is passionate about the spiritual blessings He has already prepared for His children (Ephesians 1:3).

God's purpose for our relationship with Him is not just that we should be saved from His wrath against our sins, but that we should be holy (special for God, saints) and blameless (spotless, without any stain or imperfection). We are to become holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15). Although we all have some way to go before that becomes reality, God has spoken that blessing over us, and we can be confident that He will make it happen (Philippians 1:6)! His powerful Word guarantees that it will, and when we see Jesus face to face, all that God has spoken will be completed in us (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Those believers, who despair because of their weakness in temptation, should be encouraged ... God has pronounced holiness over you and He will work on you and with you to ensure a good result. Those who feel that they cannot be of any use to God, should know that He has a totally different idea. So today is a good day to accept the privilege of being chosen by the Almighty, and submit to the process of being a 'work in progress'. Knowing that should give the confidence we all need to speak good things about the One who has spoken well about us. Your confidence will show; and when colleagues notice, do tell them Who has selected you to be in His family and that He is already at work in your heart. Then tell them that they need not miss out! Show them www.crosscheck.org.uk and invite them to welcome Jesus into their hearts too.