15 Minute Bible Study
You Are Redeemed
Study passage:Ephesians 1:3-7
Memory Verse: Ephesians 1:7

    The New Testament uses two words to describe the redemption Christ offers. One, translated "ransom," indicates a price paid to secure someone's freedom. The other, an ancient business term, refers to purchasing something in the marketplace. Scripture conveys the idea that redemption in Christ is much like the liberation of a first century slave.

    Occasionally, a wealthy man would desire to free a respected slave. Only after paying the servant's cash value did the new owner have the right to free him. This is what Jesus Christ did for each of us. We were all once enslaved to sin. (Romans 6:6-7) The word redemption refers to the fact that Christ paid the price to free us from sin's slave market. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) The only payment sufficient to secure our salvation was His death on the cross.

    Old Testament Law stated that blood sacrifice was necessary to atone for sins. (Leviticus 17:11) Animals were offered frequently for both individuals and the entire nation. (Leviticus 16:29-31) From the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry, however, He was pictured as the ultimate sacrificial lamb (John 1:29), the sole sacrifice that could atone for sin once and for all. (Hebrews 9:11-14, 10:4)

    Man owed the debt for his sin, but only God had the power to pay the price. The single possible solution was for Him to break into human history through Jesus—who was fully God and fully man (Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:6-7)—and bear our punishment. (Isaiah 53:5, 8)

    Jesus died not just for Christians but for everyone. (John 3:16, 12:32; Matthew 18:14) Unfortunately, not everyone will experience the blessing of redemption, which must be received by faith. (Romans 10:9-11) Rejecting the Redeemer in effect says, "I don't need Jesus; I can redeem myself." However, Christ alone can free us from our bondage to sin.

    Our redemption was costly—we could never earn our own forgiveness, but we can rejoice that God paid the price Himself. While we can't repay that act of grace, we can show gratitude by seeking to know God more and living according to His Word.

Questions for Reflection:

• Have you chosen to experience the redemption Christ offers?

• How does your daily life reflect your gratitude to God?