Gift #4 Redemption

When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.

Jesus Christ is your Redeemer. He has redeemed you from the slavery to sin.

Redeem = to buy back, to recover by payment, to offset faults and shortcomings

Paul says it this way in Ephesians 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

OK! There are lots of nuggets of truth and information in these verses. Let’s examine them.

Notice that Paul calls these ‘spiritual blessings’. In the spirit world you have an enemy who wants to steal your inheritance, ruin your testimony and take others down with you. Jesus Christ is stronger than that enemy and He stands ready to help you.

How aware are you about your enemy and his tactics to cause you grief, sorrow, regret and sin?

Jesus Christ chose you before He made the world so you could be blameless and holy in His love before Him. Have you thought about seeing Him face-to-face?

What does it mean to you to be chosen by Jesus Christ before He even made the world?

What does it mean to you knowing you will be in His physical presence holy and blameless?

Jesus Christ predestined you to be His adopted child because your relationship to Him gives Him pleasure.

What does it mean to you to be predestined by Jesus Christ?

What does it mean to you to be adopted into God’s family?

What difference should that make in your daily living?

You are seen in Jesus Christ and accepted because He has lived a perfect life and died the cruel crucifixion to pay the penalty for your sins.

What does it mean to you to be accepted by God, your Creator?

Why do you think Paul included all these others truths in his telling about the Redeemer?

Your redemption from slavery to sin was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer

You still have your sin nature which makes you want to rebel against God’s best for you.

But you are free from slavery to sin – you can choose not to sin.

Your Redeemer even provides a remedy for your wrong choices. 1 John 1:⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! – Fanny Crosby, 1882

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.

 Refrain

Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am.

 Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell.

Refrain

 I think of my blessèd Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.

Refrain

I know there’s a crown that is waiting, In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect, At home with the Lord I shall be.

Refrain

Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed  and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will  accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti