“in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

This verse expresses a couple of our thirty-three eternal positions before God. Our salvation consists of two things in this passage: “redemption” and “forgiveness.” Sin sold us out and therefore enslaved us. If we are to be redeemed, God must redeem us from sin. He does this by forgiveness through the blood of Christ.

“in whom we have redemption”

“Redemption” means rescue by ransom. This is the strongest word for redemption in the Bible. This particular word for redemption means to buy back as a slave from captivity. Figuratively, it means to release from sin by paying a ransom (Eph. 1:7,14; 4:30; Rom. 8:23; Heb 9:15; Lk. 21:28). God procures our liberty by full payment of a ransom. That ransom was the blood of Christ.

Because this term for redemption is intensive (redeem from), it carries the idea of the completeness of our redemption. No subsequent slavery can follow.

We use the word redeem in association with pawnbrokers. If we pawn our ring then later want it back, we must redeem it from the broker. To redeem the ring, we must pay a price with interest. In the case of our salvation, it was Jesus who paid the price (Mark 10:45; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Tim. 2:5,6; 2 Pet. 2:1).

“through His blood”

Ephesians 1:7 sets forth the same truth, although it adds “through His blood.” Some manuscripts add that phrase here as well. Redemption is not through moral teaching, ethics, or right living. It is through the sacrificial death of Christ. We are not redeemed by the Old Testament laws but by the shedding of the blood of Christ (Rev. 5:9).

“the forgiveness of sin”

“Forgiveness” means “remission” by Christ, who paid the price on the cross (Rom. 3:24-26). God has remitted or canceled the price to be paid because of our sin. The word “forgiveness” means release from captivity. God releases us from the bondage of the penalty of sin. We are pardoned; the death of Christ cancels our sin. God will not bring up our sin against us anymore. Our sin is dismissed and discharged. We are set free.

Principle:

We were held in the grip of the penalty of sin, but Jesus released us from our sin by His shed blood.

Application:

Most people do not realize that God forgives sins once for all. For those who place their faith in the blood of Christ, their sins are gone forever. They stand forgiven eternally. All our sins, whether past, present, or future, are forever forgiven. The slate is wiped clean (Matt. 26:28; Acts 5:31; 10:43; 13:38,39; 1 Jn. 2:1,2).

Have you come to realize that Jesus Christ can separate you from your sins forever? His death paid personally for your sin (Heb. 1:3). If you accept that fact for yourself by faith, your sins are eternally forgiven in God’s eyes (Rom. 4:8). Will you do that now?