When Christians suffer insults from unbelievers, we know they first hated God. Christ was ridiculed, shamed, beaten, and crucified by unbelievers who refused to acknowledge his true authority and kingship. Christ, who was sinless, took our sins upon himself and suffered this reproach for our sakes, so that we won’t be found guilty before God, though we deserve it.

Today you can find great comfort knowing we’re no longer alienated from God because of our sins but are reconciled through Christ “in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (Colossians 1:22). Such is the depth of God’s love for you and me that he would die so that we, robed in righteousness, may live forever with him in heaven!