Redemption For The Believer in Christ
November 26, 2019
Commentary
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 (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.