In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence… (Ephesians 1:7-8)
The Meaning of Redemption Through His Blood
Before the foundation of the world, God chose to bless those who would choose Him richly. God decided to make us “holy and without blame,” making us “accepted in the Beloved.” And He decided to adopt us into His family. Our purification and adoption He determined to do through Jesus Christ. Because He made that determination “before the foundation of the world,” Paul says our purification and adoption are predestined.
The Price of Redemption Through His Blood
Redemption is a significant theme in both the Old and New Testaments. When the Egyptians enslaved the children of Israel, God redeemed them from slavery by delivering them through the ten plagues. Paul says the blood of Jesus redeems us through the forgiveness of sins. In both examples, the recipients of redemption were enslaved. To be redeemed means to be purchased out of slavery.
God Frees Us from Slavery to Sin
Because temptation has such a strong appeal, we allow ourselves to become servants of our desires. Habitual sin becomes our master: we serve it and our pleasures rather than God.
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:16-18)
Jesus promises freedom: “If you abide in My word… the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). By believing and obeying the truth He taught, we are redeemed from our slavery to sin.
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