Paul the
apostle told the Ephesian church members the Lord “predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself”,
and it was the “pleasure” of His “will” to do
so. This initiative was “to the praise of the glory of his
grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved”. In
chapter one and verse seven of his letter, Paul shared how we “have
redemption through his blood” where we read:
In whom we
have redemption through his blood,
the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The
verse begins, “In whom we have redemption through his blood,...”
Paul began with the words, “In whom” which refers to
“Jesus Christ” “we have redemption” or “a releasing,
deliverance and liberation procured by the payment of a ransom”
“through his blood” which means “His bloodshed and
atoning blood”. Paul declared our “deliverance” by the “cost”
of Jesus Christ's bloodshed.
The
verse goes on to say, “...the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;” Paul
added, “the forgiveness”
or “release from bondage or imprisonment, pardon and remission of
penalty” “of sins”
which means “to fall beside or near something, a lapse or
derivation from truth and uprightness, a misdeed and missing of the
mark”, “according to”
or “down from, through out, toward and along” “the
riches” which means “wealth,
abundance of external possession, fullness and plentitude” “of
his grace” or “that which
affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace
of speech, goodwill, loving kindness and favor”. Because Jesus shed
His blood for us on the cross, not only did He pay our
“ransom” but He also
provided with “joy, delight and loveliness” “forgiveness”
for our “sins”.
When
we consider these words of Paul, we should be humbled by the prospect
that Jesus paid such a “Great” price for our “ransom”.
We were sold to and kidnapped by sin, and He did not give precious
metals, jewels or any other material things of value, but He gave
“His blood” for us. This provided “forgiveness”
to us for our “sins”, and this was according to the
“abundance, fulness and plentitude” of His “unmerited favor”.
Oh what a glorious people we are who place our faith and trust in
Jesus Christ! May we ever give Him glory for His precious sacrifice
for us.
Next
time Paul shares how the Lord has “abounded toward us in
all wisdom and prudence”, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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