You are redeemed! – Tuesday, 22 August

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace”
Ephesians 1:7 ESV

In Chris, we have been redeemed! “Redemption” basically means “a releasing effected by payment of ransom” (Thayer’s).  The fall of Adam caused all men to be held captive by the devil, like a hostage situation. Through Christ’s blood (which gave us forgiveness of sins) we have been bought back! As 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “Ye were bought with a price.”

Romans 5:19 says “for as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted sinners: so also through the obedience of the one, shall the many be constituted righteous.” (YLT)

Mankind didn’t have to do anything to be made sinners. Through Adam’s disobedience (sin) all of mankind automatically were made (constituted) sinners. Likewise, through One Man’s obedience (Jesus’) all of mankind was made (constituted) right with God. As the Good News Bible puts it, “And just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man, in the same way they will all be put right with God as the result of the obedience of the one man.” I am not saying that everyone is going to heaven automatically. We need to believe on Jesus for that. What I am saying is that the redemption work of Jesus is completely finished. Through what He did, you have been redeemed (purchased back)!

“Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends.”
2 Corinthians 5:19 GNB

Through the redemptive work of Christ we have all been reconciled unto God (or made friendly with Him). God isn’t mad, angry or upset with anyone. He has dealt with every barrier (sin) that stood between Him and you. The cross effectively wiped out every hindrance that existed between us and God. Our message is: “…be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20). All we need to do is accept what already is. God is reconciled to us (He fully accepts us): now we must reconcile to God (fully accept Him). What good news! It’s not about trying to do something to be accepted by God. Because of the finished work of Jesus, we are fully accepted by God. As Ephesians 1:6 puts it: “he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Beloved = Jesus).

You have been purchased and you belong to God. You’ve been reconciled to God and have been made accepted – God accepts you!

Much love,