Redemption

Today, we only have limited experience with redemption. We can redeem coupons at a store to receive a discount, meaning someone else is covering the cost of our discount. We talk about redeeming time or an opportunity, meaning we are making the best use of that which we are using. In other times, however, redemption was a term used in connection with the dreadful practice of slavery. Someone would pay a price to redeem a slave, sometimes to set them free.

Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” God richly and abundantly gave us grace and mercy by offering His own Son’s blood to redeem us from slavery to sin. The price was precious to the Father, the Son and to us. This redemption moves us from slavery to freedom in Christ, from darkness of evil to the light of the Father, from hopelessness to bright hope, from death to life, and from destruction to eternal life.

But to take advantage of this redemption, we must receive the Father’s gift of payment for us. We cannot achieve redemption ourselves. But we can receive the Father’s redemption on our behalf by trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.