The Lord our God has chosen us to be “his treasured possession,” not because of any strength in us, but solely “because the Lord loves” us (Deut. 7:6–8). In His joy Christ has redeemed us by His cross and gathered us into His Kingdom by the Gospel. This Kingdom is the “hidden treasure” (Mt 13.44 and “pearl of great value” (Mt 13.45-46), of such value that any impediments to it must be cast away. To this end we are “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). Since we “are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28), and because Christ Jesus died, rose again and lives to intercede for us “at the right hand of God” (Rom. 8:34), there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).