Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-14

Every Spiritual Blessing – Continued

Redemption (verse 7)

In Jesus, Paul reminds us, we have “redemption through His blood.” Redemption is a slave-market term. In the ancient world, if a person desired to grant freedom to a slave (or if a slave had the wherewithal to purchase his or her own freedom), a redemption price would be paid to the owner of that slave; a sum of money would be handed over in order to redeem that man, woman, boy, or girl from his or her enslavement. This, says the apostle, is also what God has done for His people! We were enslaved to sin. We were in bondage to our own sinful natures and lusts. And yet our Father in heaven paid the price to set us free. We have “redemption through His [Jesus’] blood.” This is why we can now become “holy and without blame,” because we are no longer slaves to sin! Remind yourself of that fact when temptation tugs like a chain around your ankle, dragging you back toward your old ways. Say to yourself, “In Christ, I am no longer a slave! God paid my redemption price through the blood of Jesus! I am free! And I’m going to live like it! I have ‘redemption through His blood.’ “

Forgiveness (verse 7)

In addition to having been set free from sin’s power, Christians have also been redeemed from sin’s debts. “Redemption,” Paul says, includes “the forgiveness of sins.” An ancient slave, in some cases, might be not only a slave, but also a debtor. The whole reason he or she was owned by another human being was because of a failure to pay some debt. So, if such a person was redeemed, if his or her liberty was purchased, the debt was, at the same time, canceled out as well! This person was now not only free, but also forgiven! So it is with the Christian. We owed a great debt to God because of our trespasses and sins. But “through His [Jesus’] blood,” the debt was paid. “Through His blood” we are set free, not only from slavery to sin, but also from our debt to God and from its corresponding penalty! Restitution has been made in full. “Through His blood” we have “the forgiveness of sins.” Do you have forgiveness? Do you know that your sin debts have been or can be removed by the blood of Christ?

Inheritance (verse 11)

We have been predestined not only to adoption and to holiness, but also to “an inheritance,” Paul tells us in this verse. But what is that “inheritance”? Does Paul have in mind the list that we have been piecing together over the last few paragraphs? In other words, are sanctification, adoption, redemption, and forgiveness our “inheritance”? Or is Paul thinking in this verse about our “inheritance” in heaven? Perhaps both! We do have a great many spiritual blessings, even now, don’t we? But, all the more thrilling, these things will be perfected when our “inheritance” is deeded over in full, someday, in heaven! Moreover, on that day we will see Jesus face to face! We will see the nail prints in His hands and feet, and be with Him forever! What an “inheritance”! What a reason to say with Paul, “Blessed be . . . God!”

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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