Ephesians 1:7: In Him We Have Redemption

Ephesians 1:7
[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (ESV)

Jesus Christ died for our sins. We are forgiven of our sins only through his blood. Scripture talks about Christ being the “propitiation” of our sins. The Apostle John writes:

1 John 4:10
[10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (ESV)

That word propitiation means payment. Paul told the church at Rome, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)" Our sins have earned us death. That death is an eternal one. God’s wrath is serious stuff.

You say, “Wait a minute, God is a god of love, isn’t he?” Yes, that is why he made a way through the blood of Jesus Christ, his own son. Do you want more love than that? That’s impossible. Let’s talk a little about blood, shall we? In the Old Testament Law, the blood, was the life of the creature.

Leviticus 17:11
[11] For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

Without the blood, or life of Christ being the payment of your sin, it would be your life that would be required for payment of your sin. Your piddly works are not what God requires for payment of sin. Life is required. The choice is simple. Your life or his. His will for your salvation involves his lifeblood being shed for you. His propitiation is the payment for your sin by his blood. God’s wrath is our rightful expectation for our sin. But Christ steps in and takes the Father’s wrath for us. Here’s an example for you:

“H.A Ironside as he would later recall:

"One of the first gospel illustrations that ever made a real impression upon my young heart was a simple story that I heard a preacher tell when I was less than nine years old. It was of pioneers who were making their way across one of the central states to a distant place that had been opened up for homesteading. They travelled in covered wagons drawn by oxen, and progress was necessarily slow. One day they were horrified to note a long line of smoke in the west, stretching for miles across the prairie, and soon it was evident that the dried grass was burning fiercely, and was coming toward them rapidly. They had crossed a river the day before but it would be impossible to go back to that before the flames would be upon them. One man only seemed to have an understanding as to what should be done. He gave the command to set fire to the grass behind them. Then when a space was burned over, the whole company moved back upon it. As the flames roared on toward them from the west, a little girl cried out in terror. "Are you sure we shall not all be burned up?" The leader replied, "My child, the flames cannot reach us here, for we are standing where the fire has been!"

On Him Almighty vengeance fell, which would have sunk a world to hell. He bore it for a chosen race, and thus becomes our Hiding Place. The fires of God's judgment burned themselves out on Him, and all who are in Christ are safe forever, for they are now standing where the fire has been.”

Christ makes payment for our sin by giving his life for ours. He is our propitiation. In Him we have redemption.

Have you been redeemed?  Has God payed for your sin?  Or are you trying to be "good enough."  Give up that folly.  Surrender your will to His.  Accept his sacrifice on your behalf. In Him, and Him only we have redemption.  If you are redeemed, thank Him today!!