Redeemed by Grace: Transformed by the Truth of Ephesians 1:7
Introduction:
Today, we embark on a journey through the transformative truth of Ephesians 1:7, which declares, "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." Let us delve into this passage and uncover how it has the power to reshape our lives.
Point 1: The Riches of God's Grace (Ephesians 1:7a)
Verse: "He is so rich in kindness and grace..." (Ephesians 1:7a, NLT)
Ephesians 1:7a emphasises the abundance of God's grace and kindness towards us. The word "rich" denotes the immeasurable wealth and generosity of God's grace, which exceeds all human comprehension. God's grace is not limited or scarce but boundless and overflowing, freely bestowed upon us.
Max Lucado beautifully articulates the richness of God's grace, stating, "Grace is simply another word for God's tumbling, rumbling reservoir of strength and protection."
Romans 5:20 (NLT): "But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant."
In Romans 5:20, the apostle Paul highlights the incredible abundance of God's grace in response to the increasing prevalence of sin. This verse reveals a divine principle: where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. Despite humanity's tendency towards sin and rebellion, God's grace is not limited or diminished. Instead, it overflows in abundance, surpassing the magnitude of sin and offering hope and redemption to all who believe.
Romans 5:20 reminds us that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, highlighting the incomparable abundance of God's grace.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT): "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul assures the Corinthians of God's generous provision for their needs. This verse emphasises God's faithfulness in supplying not just the essentials but an abundance that enables believers to be generous towards others. God's provision is not limited or meagre but abundant, ensuring that His people lack nothing and have an abundance to share with those in need.
2 Corinthians 9:8 reaffirms the sufficiency of God's grace, stating that He is able to make all grace abound to us, so that we may have all sufficiency in all things.
Point 2: The Price of Redemption (Ephesians 1:7b)
Verse: "...that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son..." (Ephesians 1:7b, NLT)
Ephesians 1:7b elucidates the cost of our redemption—the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Our freedom from sin and bondage was not attained through earthly riches or human efforts but through the sacrificial death of God's Son. Jesus paid the ultimate price to ransom us from the power of sin and death, securing our liberation.
Billy Graham reflects on the significance of Christ's sacrifice, stating, "God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'"
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT): "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."
In 1 Peter 1:18-19, the apostle Peter underscores the priceless nature of the redemption secured for believers through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This passage emphasises the inadequacy of worldly wealth, such as gold or silver, to ransom souls from the grip of sin and death. Instead, the redemption of humanity required the precious blood of Christ, who, as the sinless Lamb of God, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins.
1 Peter 1:18-19 emphasises the incorruptible price of our redemption, stating that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Revelation 5:9 depicts a heavenly scene where the redeemed declare the worthiness of the Lamb who was slain, acknowledging His sacrifice as the means of their redemption.
Revelation 5:9 (NLT): "And they sang a new song with these words: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'"
Revelation 5:9 depicts a heavenly scene where the redeemed sing a new song, acknowledging the worthiness of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) to redeem humanity through His sacrificial death. This verse highlights the universal scope of Christ's redemption, as His blood has ransomed people from every corner of the earth, transcending cultural, linguistic, and ethnic barriers. It celebrates the inclusivity of God's salvation plan, which embraces people from all walks of life.
Point 3: The Forgiveness of Sins (Ephesians 1:7c)
Verse: "...and forgave our sins." (Ephesians 1:7c, NLT)
Ephesians 1:7c proclaims the glorious truth of forgiveness through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Through His blood, our sins are not merely covered or overlooked but completely forgiven and removed from us. God's forgiveness is comprehensive, extending to all our transgressions, past, present, and future.
Quotation:
Corrie ten Boom poignantly reflects on the depth of God's forgiveness, stating, "God has thrown our sins into the sea of His forgetfulness and has placed a sign on the shore that says, 'No Fishing Allowed.'"
Psalm 103:12 (NLT): "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west."
Psalm 103:12 poetically describes the extent of God's forgiveness towards those who repent and turn to Him. The imagery of the east and west, which never meet, illustrates the complete removal and separation of our sins from us. This verse emphasises the thoroughness and finality of God's forgiveness, assuring believers of His mercy and grace to cleanse them from all unrighteousness.
Colossians 1:14 affirms that in Christ, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, emphasising the inseparable link between redemption and forgiveness.
Colossians 1:14 (NLT): "He purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins."
In Colossians 1:14, Paul succinctly articulates the foundational truth of redemption through Christ's sacrificial death. This verse emphasises the dual aspect of Christ's work on the cross: the purchase of our freedom from sin's bondage and the forgiveness of our sins. Through His blood, Jesus secured our liberation and reconciliation with God, demonstrating the depth of God's love and grace towards humanity.
Application:
As we contemplate the truth of Ephesians 1:7, let us:
Meditate on the richness of God's grace and allow it to permeate every aspect of our lives.
Reflect on the price of our redemption and respond with gratitude and awe at the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice.
Embrace the forgiveness of sins and live in the freedom and assurance of God's grace.
Call to Action:
I urge you to embrace the transformative truth of Ephesians 1:7 in your life. Let us live as redeemed children of God, walking in the fullness of His grace and forgiveness. May we extend the same grace and forgiveness to others, reflecting the love of our Heavenly Father to the world around us.
May the reality of God's grace, the price of our redemption, and the forgiveness of our sins empower us to live victoriously for His glory. Amen.
