A little more about redemption & forgiveness (the two go
hand in hand) that I find important. Look
at these passages of Scripture:
What shall we
say then? Are we to continue in sin that
grace may abound? By no means! Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
to make you obey its passions…For sin will have no dominion over you, since
you are not under law but under grace. For
it was for freedom that Christ set you free.
(Romans 6:1-2a, 12, 14 & Galatians 5:1)
say then? Are we to continue in sin that
grace may abound? By no means! Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
to make you obey its passions…For sin will have no dominion over you, since
you are not under law but under grace. For
it was for freedom that Christ set you free.
(Romans 6:1-2a, 12, 14 & Galatians 5:1)
Now let’s look at the full meaning of “redemption” as
defined by my Greek Lexicon, which says redemption is “deliverance on account
of the ransom paid from the power
and ultimate consequence of sin, which Christ procured by laying down his life.” It adds, “to remove the guilt, punishment and power of sin.”
defined by my Greek Lexicon, which says redemption is “deliverance on account
of the ransom paid from the power
and ultimate consequence of sin, which Christ procured by laying down his life.” It adds, “to remove the guilt, punishment and power of sin.”
Redemption isn’t just a onetime past action. Redemption is an on-going, present tense,
help for today. To tap into Christ’s
redemption is to plug into the Spirit, who lives in us (Romans 8:9) and so, the
power of the one “who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us (Romans 8:11).” Redemption is a reminder that “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).” Redemption is a fact that I don’t have to
live crippled by sin – anymore. Will
I? Sadly, yes. I’ll never be completely freed before heaven
(that is the hope of eternity). Yet, the
truth is that I can, indeed, live more and more to Jesus, and less and less to
my own fleshly nature, and sinful desires.
The truth: Because of redemption
and forgiveness, I AM NO LONGER A SLAVE TO THE POWER OF SIN.
help for today. To tap into Christ’s
redemption is to plug into the Spirit, who lives in us (Romans 8:9) and so, the
power of the one “who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us (Romans 8:11).” Redemption is a reminder that “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).” Redemption is a fact that I don’t have to
live crippled by sin – anymore. Will
I? Sadly, yes. I’ll never be completely freed before heaven
(that is the hope of eternity). Yet, the
truth is that I can, indeed, live more and more to Jesus, and less and less to
my own fleshly nature, and sinful desires.
The truth: Because of redemption
and forgiveness, I AM NO LONGER A SLAVE TO THE POWER OF SIN.
What’s the key? The Spirit who indwells me.
My redemption and forgiveness mean that not only am I in Him
(Jesus), but that His Spirit is in me. “But
I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the
flesh…If you are led by the Spirit, you will walk by the Spirit (Galatians
5:16, 18, 25).”
(Jesus), but that His Spirit is in me. “But
I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the
flesh…If you are led by the Spirit, you will walk by the Spirit (Galatians
5:16, 18, 25).”
The result will be a whole new me…who looks a lot more
like Jesus: loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle,
who exhibits self-control (Galatians 5:22).
I like redemption & forgiveness (freedom) for they are making me a
new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
like Jesus: loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle,
who exhibits self-control (Galatians 5:22).
I like redemption & forgiveness (freedom) for they are making me a
new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
——————————————————-
PS. What identity
truths are for today? How about focusing
on these:
truths are for today? How about focusing
on these:
In Christ, I am a new creation.
In Christ, I am indwelt by His Spirit.
In Christ, I have resurrection power over sin.
In Christ, I am freed from the fleshly nature.
In Christ, I am no longer a slave to sin.
In Christ, I can do all things…