So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to HIS dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom (redemption) with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:6-7
In Paul’s time slaves were freed by the payment of a ransom this was a common Greco-Roman practice called ‘redemption’. Here Paul is stating that we are freed from our bondage as slaves to sin by Christ paying the price – the price was the shedding of His blood. If you ever happen to read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, I believe that C.S. Lewis has captured this very well.
Having just commemorated again ANZAC Day, where Australia as a nation pauses to remember the blood sacrifice that was paid by many since the Boxer Rebellion through many wars up to and including today for our current lifestyle, it is interesting that we struggle with the concept of God sacrificing much to win us as friends.
He did not pay the ransom for us to continue to be slaves however to be free men and women able to serve Him. Over April we have been reminded of this blood sacrifice of One for our spiritual freedom (Easter) and then the blood sacrifice of many for our physical freedom (ANZAC) let us not loose sight of God’s Grace, Kindness and Love – the reason He did this for us.
May you have a day in which you experience God’s Grace, Kindness and Love.
Godspeed
Rev Steve Neuhaus
Eagles Rest Ministries