A Verse
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
A Comment
What does it mean to be redeemed? Well, this language of redemption is deeply rooted in Paul’s understanding of the Exodus event from the Old Testament. Exodus 6:6 speaks of how God would redeem the people of Israel from their slavery through his mighty deeds. Like the Israelites in Egypt, we are, by nature, enslaved to sin and in desperate need of someone to ransom us from our slavery. According to Ephesians 1:7-10, God in Christ has ransomed us, that is, redeemed us from slavery to sin, through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Thus, to be redeemed means that we have been purchased from out of our slavery and been placed under the authority of a new master, Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Prayer
O’ Lord, thank you for redeeming us. Thank you for forgiving us. Grant us by your Spirit to live as redeemed people, today. For the praise of Your name, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Blessing
Now the God whose affection never cools,
whose attentions never wavers,
whose arm never relaxes,
and whose grace never fails,
rescue you from every evil attack and bring you safely to His heavenly kingdom.
from Grace Be with You: Benedictions from Dale Ralph Davis
What It Means to Be Redeemed