MEDITATIONS FROM PAUL’S EPISTLES

 

December 19 , 2007

Reading:  1 Corinthians 6:12-20

 

“For you were bought at a price” 1 Cor 6:20

 

One of the marvelous, defining words of the gospel is Redemption. It is a word that over the years has almost lost its place in every day use and many Christians read it, sing it, and even talk about it without knowing the depth of its meaning. One of the dictionary definitions is “recovery by payment” Webster’s College Dictionary. Redemption is a financial term used in the mortgage as well as Pawn Shop businesses.

In the Old Testament redemption was applied to property, animals, persons, and the nation of Israel. In nearly every instance, freedom from obligation, captivity or bondage, or danger was secured by the payment of a sum of money paid to obtain freedom, favor, or reconciliation. Men redeemed property, animals, and individuals such as slaves and prisoners.

The New Testament concentrates on the Redemption of God’s elect from the bondage of sin, a redemption that only God can secure. The stranglehold sin has on every man, woman and child is so great that only the blood of God in the Person of Jesus Christ can procure it.

 

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” 1 Peter 1:18-19.

 

The bottom line to redemption is the change of ownership. He who paid the price of redemption now owns that which he redeemed. It is this matter of ownership that is on my heart this morning.

Firstly: There is a wonderful sense in which mankind has always been owned by God and, in this sense, never needed to be redeemed. All of mankind belongs to God because He created us; as our Creator God owns us. This relationship can never change. We can never be created by another.

Secondly: As we have already seen, God’s special people, His elect, belong to God because He purchased us: “You were bought at a price” 1 Cor 7:23.

 

 “Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people” Titus 2:13-14.

 

“The church of God which He purchased with His own blood” Acts 20:28.

 

Thirdly: We, as God’s “special people,” belong to God because He dwells within us in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

 

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Cor 6:19.

 

The Holy Spirit is God’s Personal Guarantee of our Redemption.

 

“You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” Eph 1:13-14.

 

Our redemption can never be reversed, stolen, lost, or destroyed. God has redeemed His people and personally guarantees its eternal value.

How have things changed now that you are the redeemed of the Lord?

 

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” 1 Peter 2:9-10.

 

"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 out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth" Rev 5:9-10.

 

How can we fail to rejoice, having been redeemed from the bondage of sin by the shed blood of Jesus? We are not our own for we have been bought by the blood of Christ. Gladly will I bow before Him and acknowledge Him as my Redeemer, Lord and Master.