Tuesday, January 11, 2022
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 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. Ephesians 1:7-10
Abundantly Free!
Have you ever paid off a debt and had that amazing feeling of freedom that comes with it? The weight and bondage of debt can be excruciating. Paul was always reminding his readers of their identity and that what we, as believers, share in our faith. We have abundant freedom in Christ Jesus! He paid our debts for us with His life on Calvary. However, we seldom live in this freedom. Here are some things to remember about who we are in Him and the grace He has lavished on us.
Redeemed – We are redeemed because of Jesus. The cost of our redemption from Satan and our own sin was the unblemished sacrifice of the Lamb of God. He gave His life to buy ours back. The blood of Jesus is the only possible source of redemption for us. It cannot be found anywhere else. He took our place in death on the cross so we could have eternal life with Him.
Forgiven – From the redemption Jesus bought on the cross we can be forgiven. Not just a little forgiven, or only forgiven for certain things, but completely forgiven!
Lavished – God has lavished the riches of His grace upon us! The redemption and forgiveness we receive from Him is because of His riches of grace.
God, in the riches of His grace, also makes known to us the mystery of His will – the revelation of His plan for all things to be united in Him, beginning with Jesus. He delights in His plans and He delights in us knowing His plan. He came to earth in human form and His sacrifice on the cross, the payment for our sins which brings redemption and forgiveness, secures our place with Him in Heaven. Full circle. It is His plan to bring all things together in Him, and to unify all things in our lives under Him.
God not only pays our debt and sets us free, but He lavishes His grace and forgiveness on us. He could have just paid the debt and set us free, but He adopts us as His own. He not only buys our freedom, but also gives us exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever need or imagine. He longs for us to live in the abundant freedom that is ours in Him.
Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. Ephesians 1:7-10 MSG
