 The Meaning of Redemption
|
|
In Him we have redemption
through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins,
in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
(Ephesians 1:7) |
Two weeks ago, my ministry partner and I started a weekly Bible study for employees (including the president) at a textile manufacturing plant. It was a special time relating to the employees and encouraging them to realize the presence of the Lord with as they embark on studying the Bible. God speaks personally to His children.
We encouraged them to simply observe the words of Scripture in the presence of the Lord. When we rush into trying to understand and apply Scriptures, it is ususally for selfish reasons, and we can miss relating with the Lord.
For the past couple of weeks I have been led by the Lord to walk the halls of Ephesians with Him to just observe and be at awe of the glory of His words in that letter written by Paul.
A key word in Ephesians is REDEMPTION (1:7). This Rest Stop presents my current understanding of this foundational word according to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Be encouraged!
And pray for me as I will be guest speaker at the regular worship services for the Bar None Cowboy Church in Owings, South Carolina this Thursday evening at 7 pm. I am planning to speak from Ephesians 1:7.
IN HIM
Redemption is in Jesus Christ alone! The related phrases "in Him" and "in Christ" and "in Christ Jesus" are used frequently in Ephesians, and over 150 times in the New Testament. This phrase points to being in union with Christ, an intimate relationship by the grace of God.
Ephesians 1:1-6 focuses on God the Father's work in salvation through God the Son:
God the Father
blesses us with every spiritual blessing
in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:3)
God the Father
accepts us
in His beloved Son.
Ephesians 1:7-12 focus on God the Son's work in our salvation:
In Him(Christ)
we have redemption
(Ephesians 1:7).
In Him(Christ)
we have obtained an inheritance
Ephesians 1:13-14 focuses on God the Holy Spirit's work in securing salvation through God the Son:
In Him (Christ)
you were sealed
with the Holy Spirit of promise.
(Ephesians 1:14)
THROUGH HIS BLOOD
Redemption is grounded in the shed blood of Christ alone. Paul did not limit his reference in Ephesians 1:7 to "the death of Christ," but specifically noted that redemption was "through the blood of Christ."
Why His blood? Why didn't Paul only need to write here His death?
It is because blood in the Old Testament sacrifices had to be shed and sprinkled on the mercy seat to appease the wrath of God against our sins. Death alone was not enough.
And all of the 1000s of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament pointed toward the ultimate and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself. Oh how we must realize and appreciate this!
Not by the blood of goats and calves,
but with His own blood
He entered the Most Holy Place
once for all,
having obtained eternal redemption.
(Hebrews 9:12)
Some people only want the benefits of salvation without facing their sin and guilt. These people want to "come to Jesus" (the risen Jesus) to be healed, to be rescued from miserable living, to have a purpose in life, to have power over sin, etc.
And these are good things to desire. However, these are not the first things. You can't know resurrection power before knowing the crucifying power of the cross.
So, God calls every one of us to first "come to the cross" and humbly kneel before the Savior who was sacrificed for our sins and guilt, thereby satisfying God's wrath and justice.
So Paul focuses first on the forgiveness of sins in Ephesians 1:7:
In Him we have redemption
through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins...
ACCORDING TO THE
RICHES OF HIS GRACE
Redemption, however, in Ephesians 1:7 is not limited to forgivness of sins. Paul highlights forgiveness in Ephesians 1:7 not because it is the whole extent of redemption, but because it is the key that opens all other riches of God's grace.
Many of us Christians only yet know about forgiveness but don't yet know about all our riches in Christ. We focus on being forgiven and going to heaven so much that we can miss the fullness of Christ in us on earth now.
Discipleship is all about Christians learning, from God's Word, the riches of Christ Himself and the riches we share with Him!
CLOSING
These truths are so rich aren't they? Next week I'll continue on this theme in Ephesians regarding according to the riches of God's grace.
Next week's Rest Stop will be entitled, Two Key Words: BUT GOD... from Ephesians 2:4.
Have a special week!
PS, I am so grateful to Martyn Lloyd-Jones for mentoring me in these verses through his commentary on Ephesians 1 entitled God's Ultimate Purpose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
About 
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Michael Chalmers
Training Director
Kellie Boggs
Fellowship Director
Joy Gibbons
Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator
Carole Blyth
Board member and women's ministry coordinator
Paul Crews
Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church
Florence Colby
Board Member and Exec Assistant
at US Endowment of Forestry
Dave Loser
Board Member and Chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America
Carolyn Kennedy
Staff discipleship counselor
Randy Garrick
Board Advisor and
CFO Engineered Systems Inc.
Dawn McClendon
Board Advisor and
school teacher in Durham NC
Marty Price
Board Advisor and Pastor
Pendleton Street Baptist Church
|
Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
|
Ministry News
Gregg is teaching at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson on Monday evenings.
|
Archives
Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
|
Contact Info
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
655 Fairview Road
Suite H-188
Simpsonville SC 29680
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
|
|
