Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:15-20
English Standard Version (ESV)

 Just take a deep breath, and think about this:  The image of the invisible God, firstborn of all creation, through whom all things were created, took on every sin you have ever committed and voluntarily chose to suffer a brutal punishment in the effort to restore a right relationship with you and make it possible that you, even though at some point you have rejected God, can spend eternity at peace with God. 
  We sacrifice for what we love.  If you love your family, you'll give up anything for their safety, security, and joy.  If you love money, you'll give up your time and health to pursue it.  If you love reading, you'll stay awake until 3 a.m. just to finish a book (or so I've been told).  God loves you, and Jesus Christ sacrificed himself on the cross because God was willing to pay any price to give you peace.
  Know this, and be at peace, the true, lasting eternal peace that only comes from God.  Peace was secured at great cost, but God thinks you are worth it!