SATURDAY April 6, 2024
Grateful Redemption
In Him [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace....
Ephesians 1:7
Through this six-chapter book of Ephesians, we will learn so much about your position in Christ. In Him, you have redemption, forgiveness and grace. In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul wrote continuously without any periods; this was considered a doxology––praises to God. These verses have become known as “the grateful redemption,” an indebted thanksgiving given by Christians to the Lord.
The book of Ephesians also portrays a deep expression of Paul’s love, care and fellowship. His earnest desire was to make sure the Christians in Ephesus remained steadfast in the faith. He wanted them to fully attain all their heavenly privileges they had gained in their new position in Christ. The entire epistle is written with rich Greek meaning, and it is because of this, that we will discover a great deal about ourselves and about God.
The congregation in Ephesus consisted of mostly Gentiles, with a small number of Jews (Ephesians 2:11-19; 3:1). The church in Ephesus was a light in a spiritually dark place. There were many heathens in the city, and idolatry and prostitution were rampant. Anytime Paul would encounter such sinners, he would always make sure the Gospel was proclaimed to them. As a result, the Church was growing at a fast pace.
Once saved, Paul established new believers in the Christian faith. People’s lives were dramatically changed. They began to understand biblical doctrine––redemption and their position in Christ. I think Christians who have a lack of understanding about their position in Christ become very deficient in their spiritual growth.
But of Him you [Christians] are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
~1 Corinthians 1:30-31~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
