Redemption For The Believer in Christ

Ephesians 1:7–14
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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. The little boat raced downstrea … More

Redemption

Redemption is deliverance from bondage by means of a price paid. There were six million slaves in the Roman Empire, and they were often bought and sold like pieces of furniture. However, a man could purchase a slave and set him free. In a sense this is what Jesus did for us with the price of His own blood (vv. 7-12). His blood is the ransom price paid for our salvation. Some scientists and theologians have referred to this message of the Bible as a “slaughterhouse religion.” However, if we remove the blood of Christ from the Bible we would destroy its central message. Someone may ask, Why did God choose to save us through the shedding of blood? The fact is that it is a unique and divine mystery, known only to God himself. We must accept, and rejoice in God’s statement that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). The blood of Christ has paid the price for all sin past, present, and future.

When the Ephesians believed, they were “sealed with the Spirit” (v. 13). This is not something that is experienced prior to conversion. It implies ownership. Even today, when important legal documents are processed they are stamped with an official seal to signify the completion of the transaction. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives guarantees our eternal salvation. The Spirit also makes us sure that we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised (v. 14).

Application

I thank the Lord for His unconditional love, in that he paid the price for my salvation with His shed blood over 2000 years ago. I want to share this love with others more and more.

Ephesians 1:7-14 (English Standard Version)

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