Redemption For The Believer in Christ
November 26, 2019
Commentary
Redemption means deliverance from bondage through the payment of a price. In the Roman Empire, there were about six million slaves who were often bought and sold like pieces of furniture. Yet a kind master could purchase a slave and set him free. In a spiritual sense, this is what Jesus Christ did for us when He paid the price with His own blood (vv. 7–12). His blood is the ransom price for our salvation, freedom, and forgiveness. Some critics have mocked this message as a “slaughterhouse religion,” but if we remove the blood of Christ from the Bible, we destroy its central message and power. Someone may ask, why did God choose to save us through the shedding of blood? The truth is, this is a divine mystery known only to God Himself. We must accept and rejoice in His revealed word that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (HEB 9:22). The blood of Christ has paid the full price for all sin—past, present, and future. Through His sacrifice, we now have redemption, forgiveness, and lasting peace with God.
When the Ephesians believed, they were “sealed with the Spirit” (v. 13). This seal is not given before conversion but at the very moment a person places faith in Christ. It marks ownership, completion, and eternal security. Even today, when legal documents are finalized, they are stamped with an official seal to show that the transaction is complete and binding. In the same way, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives guarantees that our salvation is genuine and permanent. The Spirit also assures us that one day we will receive every-thing God has promised and prepared for His people. Then we will be completely free from sin and death, and our lives will bring endless honor, glory, and praise to God (v. 14).
Application
Do I truly value the price Jesus paid for my freedom? It is easy to forget how costly my salvation was and live as if sin still owns me. How can I honor the One who redeemed me? Today, I will thank God for forgiving me, rely on the Holy Spirit’s seal of assurance, and live each day in freedom that brings praise to Him.
Ephesians 1:7–14 (NET)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 9 He did this when he revealed to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ—the things in heaven and the things on earth. 11 In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory. 13 And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ —you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
Bought twice
Tom carried his new boat to the edge of the river. He carefully placed it in the water and slowly let out the string. How smoothly the boat sailed! Suddenly a strong current caught the boat. Tom tried to pull it back to shore, but the string broke … Continue