Sin puts one in bondage. Knowing man was created with a sinful nature, God originally established a way of atonement and redemption to free man from bondage: a blood sacrifice. The blood of Messiah Jesus became the final substitute sacrifice for sin. He suffered the retributive punishment and with His life paid the full ransom price to redeem you from the bondage of sin. Truly, though, He accomplished more than just that.
RELEVANCE
Beyond freedom from bondage, the believer is also set free from the dominion of darkness and its power to control you; and transferred into the LORD’s Kingdom of Light. We still have free will, though, to accept and appropriate or deny through improper thoughts and behavior the authority and power of His redemption.
“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. It is through his Son that we have redemption — that is, our sins have been forgiven” (Colossians 1:13-14 JNT).
“Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:12-14).
In putting on God’s light we give our conscience the opportunity to receive, absorb and respond to truth. We then have opportunity to make choices; receive or reject the truth.
Jesus came to “bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). He rules as King of the kingdom of truth. In being governed by His Spirit, His truth—His light—you live in His liberty. You are free from guilt and condemnation: “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 18:28-40).
REFLECT AND RELATE
Redemption is a gift. Like all gifts, we have the opportunity to receive them; even beyond, to appreciate and value them. Ask the LORD how you can value His gift of redemption to a greater degree.
REFERENCES
Ephesians 4:17-32