Redemption (continued)

It is only in Christ that we have all the spiritual blessing we have read about in Ephesians 1 including redemption and forgiveness. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they lost their position with God and threw all of mankind into slavery. Every man and woman born to natural parents is born a slave and slaves beget slaves. We are unable to free ourselves, just as slaves are unable to free themselves from their captors. It was necessary that we be “bought back,” or “ransomed,” in order that we might be free from the penalty of sin.

In Romans we read, “For the wages which sin pays is death, but the {bountiful} free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.” ( Romans 6:23) At one time we belonged to the Lord but through Adam's transgression we were lost to Him thus requiring a Redeemer, someone to buy us back for the Lord.

Jesus' blood represents His life. We find that life is in the blood in these words of Leviticus...

Jesus came into this world through the virgin birth to give his life as a ransom for our sin and redeem us from the penalty of sin which is death. He was the only one qualified to “buy us back” because he was free from the nature and penalty of sin. When we receive Him as our Redeemer, he forgives us of the original sin in Adam, “according to the riches of His grace.” In Ephesians 1:8 we read “Wherein {in grace} he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” There is no sin too great that it will exhaust his grace to redeem and forgive. God abounds in grace towards man. God does everything, while man simply believes and receives.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you (ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives) I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

In Strong's concordance, #1350 the word gaal (gaw-al'), from a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship,i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relatives property, marry his widow, etc...) : avenger, deliver (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk (kinsman) purchase, ransom, redeem (er), revenger. He is our Kinsman Redeemer.

We are purchased with the blood of Jesus.

We are justified (just as if we had not sinned) and have right standing with God through the redemptive blood of Christ. (Romans 3:24)

He has provided the ransom from the eternal penalty of sin by His blood. I Corinthians 1:30

You may want to take some time to meditate on the book of Ruth, a beautiful foreshadowing, or picture of how Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer.

I finish our thoughts today with the following scripture which you can declare with me if you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He (the last One) will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25)