In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus he confirmed that God had predestined the redemption of Israel and the church from before time. God’s plan included that His chosen would be adopted as sons enabled by Jesus. The reason for His plan was simply that He wanted to do it, i.e. “according to the good pleasure of His will.”
God knew full well that man would fail to live up to His requirements; therefore, His remedy was also known from the foundation of the world.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us…” Ephesians 1:7
The immutable remedy includes blood and grace.
In his letter to the church at Colosse Paul reiterates the deity of Christ and the gift of redemption.
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born (preeminent) over all creation.” Colossians 1:13-15
‘Delivered’ describes the freedom from bondage which was accomplished by Christ who redeemed us by paying the required ransom.
Christ is God and the Creator of all things, visible and invisible.
While mentoring and teaching Titus, Paul stressed God’s grace exhibited through His Son Jesus. He admonished Titus to live and teach ways to glorify God.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us…that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed…” Titus 2:11-14
The message was the same because truth doesn’t change.
It is stressed that the mission of the Son at His first advent was to redeem His brethren from the curse of the law. Christ accomplished redemption by paying the debt He did not owe.
Thus His people are to acknowledge God’s gift of grace by living godly during the present age while the Son is back with His Father in anticipation of His glorious return.
The writer of the book of Hebrews describes splendidly the purpose of Christ in terms of fulfilling the Old Covenant.
“But Christ came as High Priest…Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11-12
It had been said that it was impossible to forgive sins with the blood of animals which were offered many time, but Christ offered His blood once to obtain eternal redemption for God’s chosen.
God throughout the ages has revealed Himself and His standard of righteousness in great detail and in sequential steps to explain His purpose and plan. Man is without excuse.
Peter put it all together in plain words.
“…knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God…” 1 Peter 1:18-21
Redemption of the soul could not be done with things subject to decay such as silver or gold, or in fact ‘goats and calves.’ The only payment for redemption was the shed blood of the Son of God. Christ’s purpose had been since the foundation of the world but remained a mystery until the age of the church. And finally to believe in God is also a gift of God.
The final passage takes place at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week.
It describes the One worthy to reclaim that which was lost in the curse.
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood…” Revelation 5:9
Praise God for His gift of redemption!