Theme of the Week: Who You Are – Characteristics of our Identity in Christ
Bible Verse: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-10
I love to sing. I probably shouldn’t, but I do. I’m not musically inclined, but in college, I became friends with a group of musicians. Sitting around listening to them play and sing, it was easy to get more and more interested in playing music myself. So, I bought a guitar.
Taking some lessons and pointers from my friends, I slowly started to learn some chords and a few songs. It was great!
Fast-forward some time and circumstances and the guitar went to the pawn shop. Despite every intention of buying it back, I never did.
Redemption isn’t a difficult concept. We are all familiar with the idea of taking a bad situation or reputation and making it better. Making up for mistakes or lost opportunities. We redeem character, reputation, circumstances. We even apply that term to things like coupons, “redeem at your local . . . ”
We ourselves have been redeemed. Paul writes that we have been redeemed “through his blood.” But he also explains what that means. We have forgiveness for sins.
Much like the idea of being an orphan (see yesterday’s devotion), it can be hard to understand the real depth of being forgiven. Oh, it’s easy to admit that we have done some less than perfect things, and sure, we have suffered the consequences for those words and actions. But since our actions have consequences here and now, it’s sometimes hard to imagine that they also have consequences on an eternal, spiritual scale.
Much like my guitar hanging in the pawnshop window, we need redemption. Our choice to live for ourselves and not for God has put us into debt and we have been sold. God, in His mercy, supplied redemption through the blood of Jesus. We can be forgiven. The debt we owe cancelled. If we have accepted that, then part of our identity is “redeemed.” We have been bought and belong to God.
Prayer: God, I know that my forgiveness, my redemption came at great cost. Thank you that I have been bought and now belong to you. Help me to be grateful for the price you paid for me.
Reflect: Think of one sin, past or present, that you are grateful has been forgiven by God. Express your gratitude to Him and ask if there is any person whom you should ask forgiveness from, or who you may need to forgive.
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