WONDERS OF REDEMPTION

“In Him WE HAVE REDEMPTION through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace” – Ephesians 1:7

GOD’S WORD is rich in the WONDERS of REDEMPTION: “In Him WE HAVE REDEMPTION through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace” (Eph.1:7). To redeem is to rescue from slavery or captivity – the act of being saved from sin, error, or the power of evil. It also means regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment; or clearing a debt. For Christians, redemption derives from the atonement: Jesus’ death paid the ransom price, releasing us from bondage to sin and death (Rom.5:8-11). Redemption is the reversal of the Fall: The spiritually dead are made alive, while children of wrath become children of God (Eph.2:4; 1Jh.3:1).

In the Old Testament, redemption involved deliverance from bondage based on the payment of a price by a redeemer; the restoration of a person, property, or right to which one had a precious claim through family relation or possession. Fundamental to the message of the New Testament is the announcement that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled Israel’s messianic hope, and in Him the long-awaited redemption had arrived. He died and rose to deliver humankind from its state of alienation from God: “Who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification” (Rom.4:25). Only His atoning death could liberate humankind from sin’s captivity – sin’s power and presence.

Redemption in Christ is truly a Wonder – the Sinless sacrificed for sinners! Even the Psalmist had a foretaste of the Wonders of Redemption: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endure forever. Let the REDEEMED of the Lord say so, Whom He has REDEEMED from the hand of the enemy.” (Psa.107:1-2). Redemption radically changes our talk and walk with God. We see ourselves in a brand-new light, knowing that God has placed such great value on us, having been purchased through the precious blood of His dear Son. We were ransomed from sin to become partakers of “exceedingly great and precious promises” and of “the divine nature” (2Pet.1:2-4).

Here are some wonderful blessings and benefits of Redemption in Christ:

Redemption gives us the Holy Spirit: “In Whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (v.13b). The blood always brought the fire down in the old covenant. Even now, the blood brings the Spirit of the Lord upon our lives.

We are forgiven. God doesn’t recall our transgressions: “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jer.31:34). Every sin is washed away and wiped off under the blood (Heb.10:19-23). Now, we can “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.”

We are reconciled to God: the power of Jesus’ blood removes all that separated us (Eph.2:13; Col.1:20). When Jesus bought us by His own blood, an incredible spiritual union occurred, bringing us back to the Father!

We are cleansed: Abiding, uninterrupted, continual cleansing through Christ’s shed blood and unbroken fellowship (1Jh.1:7-9). Looking at us, God sees the blood of His Son and the work of the cross cleansing us as we walk in fellowship with Him.

We are sanctified: “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (Heb.13:12). By the blood, we’re set apart for the Master’s use; saved to serve! We mut cherish and nurture our sanctification (2Tim.2:21).

We are perfected: “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Heb.10:14). By one offering! God sees us through the Blood of Jesus as perfect, though we may not think of ourselves as such.

We are protected, free from oppression, walking in Victory (Psa.107:1-3; Rev.12:11). Israel experienced redemption at the Passover in Egypt as they marked their doorposts with the blood of the lamb (Exo.12:23). We also must always consciously apply the blood of Jesus!

Redemption is not in ourselves, but by God’s Grace lavished on us. Our redemption is comprehensive – past, present, future; covering every aspect of life. It is perfect and eternal (Heb.6: 4-6; 9:11-12). Ultimately, Christ is our Redemption (1Cor.1:30). O Perfect Redemption!