Please pray for the people of Ireland that the Lord will open their hearts to the gospel.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Notice that, “WE HAVE” redemption. Redemption is not something that is waiting to happen in the future. We have this blood bought redemption right now. It has already been accomplished. We receive it by faith alone. Right this moment, we enjoy the fact that we have already been purchased from sin and death by the precious blood, and this has been done, “according to the riches of His grace which abounds towards us ..” (Ephesians 1:7-8).
Not one of our sins is too great for the blood. And, did you notice how the Lord measures out His blood bought blessings? It is according to the riches of His grace! Abundant grace is ours in Christ Jesus.
I love, not only what Ephesians 1:7-8 says, but also what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say that the blood has paid for us out of the riches of His grace. On the contrary, it says that we have been dealt with “according” to the riches of His grace … and there’s a world of difference! If a billionaire gives a check for $100 dollars to his church building fund, he is giving out of his abundance, but not according to it. However, when it comes to the blood dealing with our lost condition, the Lord has been exceedingly generous with us, not out of His abundance but according to the abundant riches of His grace!
We have been redeemed by the blood. We have been bought and paid for by the blood, and because of the blood, our acceptance in heaven is secure. You may be a new believer and perhaps are finding this hard to grasp. That’s not surprising because, by nature, all of us, think that we should do something to earn, and keep earning, God’s favour. At our core, we are legalists. We think that, after we have repented more thoroughly, and have spent more time in anguishing and agonising prayer, then we can look to heaven for forgiveness and cleansing. But this is anti-gospel thinking. Christ died for sinners. Period! In fact, sinners are the only people for whom Christ died. Now, in response to that, we take our place as sinners, hell deserving sinners and rest our destiny on the Lord Jesus Christ. We rest on Him alone for His accomplished redemption. He purchased, forgave and justified sinners by his blood soaked death on Calvary (Eph 1:7; Romans 5:9). He is trustworthy.
We sometimes sing the old hymn,
“Redeemed how I love to proclaim it Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.”
What a great truth! If the blood of Jesus has not purchased us, then we’re in all kinds of trouble. If the blood is anaemic, we are lost. If the blood merely deals with minor sins, what use is it? But the scripture says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace, wherein he hath abounded towards us ..” He lavished grace on us and continues to do so.
There’s an ancient story of a gentleman visiting a slave market. He was deeply touched by the mental agony of one slave-girl, who had been delicately reared and feared that she should fall into the hands of a rough master. The gentleman inquired about her price, paid it to the slave-trader, then placed the bill of sale in her own hands, telling her that she was free, and could now go home. The slave-girl could not realize the change at first, but, running after her redeemer, cried, "You have redeemed me! You have redeemed me! Will you let me be your servant?"
How much more will we serve the Lord Jesus who has redeemed us from sin, death, and hell?
And that’s the Gospel Truth!