#6 Ephesians
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption
In who? In Christ, we were redeemed. We were redeemed from something, what is that? The obvious answer is sin (Rom 6:18)…but there is so much more!
We were redeemed: From the yoke of bondage to freedom. (Gal 5:1) From being a servant of sin to a servant of righteousness. (Rom 6:17-18) From all iniquity to purified people. (Titus 2:14) From the being under the Law to being a son. (Gal 4:5) From the curse of the law to the promise of the Spirit. (Gal 3:13-14) Sin and death to life in Christ! (Rom 8:2)
...through his blood, This three-little-word phrase is of the utmost importance. Check your Bible translation in Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. If your translation has omitted through his blood, I would caution you to consider finding another translation!
Whenever you read this phrase, remember how Christ’s blood was not only necessary but extremely precious, (1 Pet 1:18-19, Rom 3:25). If we were able to do genetic testing on Jesus’ blood, it would be different than any other human blood. Jesus’ blood was the only sinless human blood in all of history because it came from, and belonged to, God alone. Not in the sense that he created it like he created us, but because Jesus was fully God and fully man. His blood was eternal, almighty, pure, flawless, and unique before he ever humbled himself and was clothed with humanity. Jesus’ blood was the only blood that could rightly and judicially pay for our sins because his blood was not from an earthly father but the pure, spotless, holy blood of God our heavenly father himself. You were bought with a huge price! (Acts 20:28).
...the forgiveness of sins, How do you get forgiveness? Not everyone is automatically forgiven. You have to know where to get this forgiveness. You have to be IN CHRIST in order to receive the forgiveness being offered. It’s the difference between provision and possession. Jesus provides salvation through his blood, but if you reject that offer you are not accepted by God’s grace through faith in the only provision for your salvation. Every blessing that we possess comes after our choice of faith in HIM– not before.
...according to the riches of his grace; According to the riches of his grace, we have forgiveness. If we were to sum up the revelation of the mystery that was revealed to Paul, it would be the riches of God’s grace! It’s where all the blessings that have been freely given to us at the time we trusted Christ’s finished work on the cross for our own justification and salvation, even if you don’t know it, (1 Cor 2:12).
It’s how sinners can rejoice in the hope of glory in the unsearchable riches in Christ. Thankfully, he gives us a lifetime to learn it. Let’s keep studying so we can learn it!
