This is the third post in a mini-series on knowing and walking in the reality of who we are in Christ based on the first chapter of the book of Ephesians.
In order to live and fulfill God’s call and plan for our lives, it is extremely important that we plug into His perspective of who we are in Him. Our thoughts about ourselves should align with who God says we are according to the Scriptures and not our feelings.
When we renew our minds with the reality of who we are in Christ, we will have victory in this life. Then, we can step out in boldness to live a holy life, do the work of the Lord, and stand our ground against the schemes of the devil. We stop seeking unnecessary approval and affirmation from people because we know that we are special to God.
We ended the first post in this series, (Ephesians 1: Your Identity in Christ-Part 1) on the confession that we are blessed and chosen saints in Christ Jesus. The second post, (Ephesians 1: Your identity in Christ-Part 2) concluded with the truth of God’s word that we are blessed, chosen, loved and adopted saints in Christ Jesus. Today’s study will focus on one word in Ephesians 1:7. Grab your bibles and study with me.
You are redeemed
In him we have redemption through his blood… Ephesians 1:7a
Apostle Paul echoes the same words in the book of Colossians.
In whom we have redemption… Colossians 1: 14a
Redemption means “to buy back,” which implies freedom through the payment of a ransom. In other words, it means to pay the price necessary to set a captive free from bondage.
As a result of Adam’s sin against God in the Garden of Eden, we are all born into this world as sinners, under condemnation, spiritually dead and legally captive under Satan’s dominion and control. (See Romans 5:12-19, Ephesians 2:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Romans 3:23-25 and Romans 6:17.)
BUT God so loved you that He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for your redemption.
There cannot be any redemption without the shedding of blood and only Christ’s blood was sufficient to cleanse away man’s sin. “No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them” (Psalm 49:7).
Jesus paid the ransom for us by dying on the cross and by the shedding of his blood. The result is that through Christ, we are justified before God, saved from God’s wrath and reconciled to Him (Romans 5:9-10, 1 Peter 1:18-19).
Because of your redemption in Christ, you are a new creation. No longer under God’s condemnation or Satan’s dominion, but free to exercise your rights and privileges as a child of God. (See Colossians 1:22, Romans 8:1-2, Galatians 3:13.) God declares you ‘not guilty’ of offending Him if you trust in Jesus Christ.
Why did He redeem you?
He didn’t redeem you so that He could check it off his to-do list. He didn’t even redeem you so that He could prove His power to the devil. (God’s power is unquestionable.) He redeemed you because He loves you and He wants to fellowship with you and commune directly with you. When you love someone, you want to spend quality, intimate time with him or her. Sin prevented us from having fellowship with God, but the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for us, reconciled us to God.
Never lose sight of the truth that you are of TREMENDOUS worth to God. Your value is based on nothing else but on God’s estimate of your worth. He loves you so much that He sacrificed His Son on the cross for your redemption!
This post does not address all the intricacies of our redemption in Christ Jesus. However, the main point I want to get across to you is that:
YOU ARE OF GREAT WORTH AND VALUE TO GOD!!
Say out loud: I am a blessed, chosen, loved, adopted and redeemed saint in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Christ died on the cross and offered redemption to the whole world but the whole world did not receive him. But to all who receive him, believe in his name and believe in his death upon the cross as the only way to be redeemed, he gives the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
If you happen to be reading this post and you haven’t taken advantage of this great provision for reconciliation, I believe it is not a coincidence. God is calling YOU! He desires to be reconciled to you through Jesus. Do it now. Do not postpone it. Let today be your day of salvation.
If you believe in your heart that Christ died on the cross for your sins and confess it with your mouth, you will saved. Do it now, so you will be counted as one who is truly a blessed, chosen, loved, adopted and redeemed saint in Christ Jesus.
This study will be continued in my next post. Stay tuned!
Except indicated, all Scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV).
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