To what end has Christ redeemed us? To this end, that we might be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Yes, that we might live in blessedness, to this end Christ has redeemed us. For this is blessedness, that we are His own and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and - well, there it is: blessedness. His great love for us who were lost moved Him to redeem us at so great a price, and to deliver us from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, that we might be His own again, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Perhaps you are thinking of all the dead who hoped in Christ, and now for years and centuries, yes, thousands of years have been lying in their graves; and you would ask how the merciful purpose of Christ was accomplished in them? O my friend, death there makes no difference at all. All the dead who have died believing in Him are in His bosom, and He even keeps their dust; they are all His own; they shall all rise and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.- O Christian, lift up your heart to the risen Saviour, who by His death has redeemed you at so great a price, and say to Him: Lord Jesus, I am Yours, and You are my Lord. Give me Your blessedness!