In His Name Devotionals
COST OF FREEDOM
In His Name Devotionals
COST OF FREEDOM
“In (Christ) we have redemption through His blood.” (Ephesians 1:7 NIV)
Sin is not a serious issue to most people. Today culture flaunts and peddles it in countless forms. Even Christians who would never think of committing certain sins will often allow themselves to be to be entertained by those same sins through television, movies, music, and other media.
Do you sometimes flirt with sin? Even though you know God hates it! The price He paid to redeem you from it speaks of the seriousness with which He views it. After all, you “were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold ... but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
In Holy Scripture the shedding of blood refers to violent physical death—whether of a sacrificial animal or of Christ Himself. Sin is so serious that without bloodshed, there is no forgiveness of sin in God’s sight (Hebrews 9:22).
The sacrificial animals in the Old Testament pictured Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. That is why John the Baptizer called Jesus “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
The Old Testament sacrifices were necessary but incomplete. Christ’s sacrifice was perfect, complete, and once for all (Hebrews 10:10). No further sacrifices are needed other than the “sacrifice of praise to God” for what He has done (Hebrews 13:15) and your very life in service to Him as “a living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).
By His sacrifice Christ demonstrated not only God’s hatred for sin, but also His great love for sinners. You could never redeem yourself, but Christ willingly paid the price with His own precious blood. He “gave Himself up for (you), an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:2). His sacrifice was acceptable to the Father; so your redemption was paid in full.
