Redemption

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Redemption.

What a wonderful word. I never thought about it much until after watching Beyond the Mask. It is a great movie that demonstrates redemption. But let's look closer.

redemption = a releasing effected by payment of ransom.

Christ redeemed us by paying our debt for us. His shed blood paid for what we should have paid. He paid the ransom for us!

When I think of that word, ransom, I feel even further loved. Most experts will tell you not to pay a ransom because not only may you not actually get back what you desire, but they may come gain and demand more money.

Christ loves us enough that He paid the ransom even though there is the risk that we don't want to be with Him. He paid even thought He knew that Satan wasn't going to give up and would continue to attack.

Let's look at another word, forgiveness.

forgiveness = release from bondage or imprisonment; forgiveness or pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty.

When we commit sin, we are placing our selves in bondage to that sin. We will remain in that sin until we are freed through forgiveness. The bonus is that when Christ forgives, He forgets about the offense! It is like it never happened because we are an new. That is the richness of His grace!