Isaiah Pauley
  • Home
  • Bio
  • BLOG
  • Some Sermons
  • Home
  • Bio
  • BLOG
  • Some Sermons

Redeemed by God in Christ

2/11/2021

Comments

 
Picture
Last week, if you remember, I said Ephesians 1:3-14 is one sentence in Greek. And I focused on verses 3 through 6. Now, I want to look at verses 7 through 10.
“In him [Christ] 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 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (ESV).

What does it mean to redeem? Let me share a couple of definitions.

John Piper defines redemption as “release by payment” or “freedom by ransom.”

John Stott says, “Redemption means ‘deliverance by payment of a price;’ it was specifically applied to the ransoming of slaves.”

As the family of God, we’re chosen by God in Christ (vv. 3-6), but we’re also redeemed by God in Christ (vv. 7-10).

But what are we redeemed from? In this passage, we see two things we are redeemed from.

First, we’re redeemed from our guilt. In verse 7, Paul describes redemption as “the forgiveness of our trespasses” (ESV).

After all, “‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God’” (Rom. 3:10-11 ESV). And the wrath of God is released upon sinners. Unless one is redeemed by the blood of Christ. So, to be redeemed by God in Christ is to be forgiven of our trespasses.

This redemption comes according to the riches of God’s grace (v. 7). And this grace is not something God keeps to Himself. He has lavished this grace on us (v. 8). And He has revealed to us the mystery of His will (v. 9). And what is that mystery?


As Ephesians 3 makes clear, this mystery is the bringing together of Jews and Gentiles. God has redeemed a family through His Son, and this family consists of both Jews and Gentiles.

This is the plan of God. As verse 10 reads, “… a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (ESV).

Christ is the sum. He is the head. As the family of God, we’re submitted to Him.

Consider what Paul writes in Colossians: “For in him [Christ] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (1:19-20 ESV).

So, there’s more to redemption than the removal of our guilt.

Our bodies are redeemed along with creation. We see in Ephesians 1:10 how God has reconciled all things in heaven and on earth to Himself through Christ.

As F.F. Bruce writes, “Since the liberty of the children of God is procured by the redemptive work of Christ, the release of creation from its bondage to decay is assured by that same redemptive work.”

There’s a future to redemption. One day, our bodies will be free of cancer, pain, and scars. One day, the groaning of creation will be silenced.

Romans 8:22-23 says, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (ESV).

In Christ, the defects are perfected. In Christ, evil thrones and rulers are overthrown. And one day, “… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11 ESV).

Those who belong to the family of God are redeemed by God in Christ. We experience some of this redemption now. And one day, we’ll experience all of it.

But there’s even more beauty in this long sentence at the beginning of Ephesians. More to come next week.
Comments

    Categories

    All
    Calling
    Christmas2019
    Church
    Classics
    Colossians Series
    Confidence
    Direction
    Discipleship
    Discipleship Series
    Doubt
    Ephesians Series
    Esther Series
    Expectations
    Failure
    Faith
    Fear
    Forgiveness
    Grace
    Grief
    Hope
    Identity
    Joy
    Justice
    Life
    Love
    Marriage
    Origins Of Christ
    Passion
    Peace
    Perspective
    Philemon Series
    Prayer
    (Re ) Series
    Rest
    Sacrifice
    Salvation
    Sin
    Student Ministry
    Surrender
    Thanksgiving
    Trust
    Work
    Worry
    Worship

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

Proclaiming the Word through writing since 2014.

© 2022 Isaiah Pauley