Redeemed


Ephesians 1:7: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.”


The Gospel isn’t just a truth to be believed. It’s a power that changes lives. In modern usage the word “redeem” may convey “exchange” or “making amends”. But the true meaning of the word is understood in the context of freedom from slavery.

The exodus of God’s people from slavery in Egypt was understood as redemption (see Deuteronomy 7:7: “he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery…”.) It’s this metaphor that Paul has in mind when he says, “In (Jesus) we have Redemption through His blood”. Freedom was achieved for Israelites through the blood of a lamb at the Passover. They became free people completely through God’s deliverance.

Human slavery is a horrific thing. According to International Justice Mission, it affects 45 million people alive today. But the Bible describes every person as a spiritual slave who needs liberating by Jesus:

Ephesians 2:1-3 tells us we are slaves to our prevailing worldview, to Satan’s lies and to self indulgence. (When Adam and Eve sinned they thought sin gave them choice, whereas in fact it became their master). Hebrews 2:15_ says we’re slaves to the fear of death. __Gal 4:8 says we are slaves to idols in their many forms, and 1 Peter 1:18 says we are slaves to an inherited empty way of life.

The good news is that “Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). His blood has liberated all who believe to live free from sin and for God.


Redemption has three parts:

Present deliverance from sin (Ephesians 1:7)

God makes us clean in his sight. But he also frees us from sin’s power.

Future deliverance for our bodies with their limitations of sickness and death (Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:23)

The Spirit is our deposit guaranteeing this future deliverance.

Deliverance from self-centred individualistic thinking

Our culture suggest the world should revolve around us; our needs, preferences, and ambitions. The truth is this Universe and it’s future will revolve around Jesus; all things will be ultimately united under His Lordship.

Today we must apply the benefits of God’s deliverance in Christ to our lives, receiving and living in forgiveness, walking free from the now demolished power of sin, living for Jesus as the centre of all things.


Questions:

  • A world enslaved. How do we understand this idea of all humans being slaves to sin, death, idolatry, to Satan. How does that manifest itself in real life?

  • Redeemed (delivered) through His Blood. Do you find it hard to understand the sacrificial element of the death of Jesus? Why does Paul think it is so important?

  • Doctrinal and Experiential. If we’re freed from the penalty and also the power of sin, what experiences could we share of Jesus changing our lives through his work on the cross?

  • The holding deposit of the Spirit. Paul uses the Spirit as evidence of the certainty of future deliverance of our bodies (healing, made new, glorified). What does the evidence of the Spirit look like in us?

  • It’s not all about me. How do we use the truth of future Redemption of all things to battle our cultural insistence that life is “all about you”?