Vol. 11 No.7 – March, 2013

Our Redemption

Jim Mickells

 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

This verse contains much information about our redemption. It should be of the utmost interest and concern to every person of what is said on this subject. The eternal destiny of each individual is determined, not only by their understanding of this matter, but also by their willingness to submit to the requirements made by God. Salvation is not just by grace, God also requires faith, and faith demands obedience (Eph. 2:8; James 2:24).

The sphere of one’s redemption in him. The apostle had just revealed that every spiritual blessing one can have and enjoy was found in Christ (verse 3). If all spiritual blessings are in Christ, how many are outside of Him? None! It is only through Jesus that mankind can be saved. Peter said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Notice how many times Paul uses the expression “in Christ,” or some similar phrase in Ephesians 1 (vs. 1,3,4,6,7,9-10,11-13,15,20). We are not left to speculate or guess on how to get into Christ. The Bible gives us that important information. “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3).

The price paid for redemptionHis blood. This tells us that it cost Jesus His life. He willingly suffered and died so that you and I could live. What an incredible act of love and grace. Paul said, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7,8). Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). It took the blood of the sinless Son of God to redeem us from our iniquities. What a high price to pay. Clearly, this is an indication of how much God loves us and the value that is place on our souls.

An explanation of redemption the forgiveness of sins. The word “redemption” is defined as “a releasing effected by payment of ransom; redemption, deliverance, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom; everywhere in the N. T. metaph., viz. deliverance affected through the death of Christ from the retributive wrath of a holy God and the merited penalty of sin” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, P. 65). Sin separates one from God (Isaiah 59:1,2). Paul, later in the book of Ephesians, reminded them of the fact they had been dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). For us to be set free from offenses of which we’re guilty, it required the death of Christ and the shed blood of the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The message to the Jews on Pentecost, “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). No matter the sin, if one will believe and obey the Lord, he can be forgiven.

The basis of redemption the riches of His grace. We certainly do not merit salvation. There is no way that we can earn our redemption. And we have no price with which to pay for even one sin that we have committed. It is by the grace of the Almighty Father in heaven that we can be the beneficiaries of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He does indeed require faith on our part. Yet even when we express our faith by obedience, if not for grace, we would still die lost. Notice in this verse that Paul used the word “riches” to describe the grace of God. This means the abundance of that grace and goodness shown toward sinful men. What a truly amazing God that we serve.

Want to be saved? Your redemption will be in Christ. He is the source of your salvation when you obey Him (Hebrews 5:8,9).