What Does Redemption Bring?

Forgiveness. Your sins have been sent away -- never to return.

Ephesians 1:7 (CSB):

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."

In this context, "forgiveness" means "to send off," "to release," "to let go," or "to let be." In Old Testament times, this concept was seen through the ritual of the Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest would take two goats. The blood of one goat was sprinkled on the altar, symbolizing the atonement for the people's sins. The other goat, known as the scapegoat, had the sins of the people figuratively laid upon its head. It was then led into the wilderness, never to return, symbolizing the removal of their sins.

Our sins, like those placed on the scapegoat, have been sent away—never to return. This is the best news ever. If you are guilty of defining yourself by the way you used to be, you need to stop. God has dismissed your sin from His thoughts forever.

"Who is a God like you, forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not hold on to his anger forever because he delights in faithful love. He will again have compassion on us; he will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Micah 7:18-19

The gospel does something extraordinary: it completely forgives you of sin—of all your sins before you knew Jesus and all your sins thereafter. The magnitude of this forgiveness is unfathomable and all-encompassing.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, 'We have not sinned,' we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands."

1 John 1:9-2:3

God's forgiveness is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality. When we confess our sins, He faithfully forgives and cleanses us. We have an advocate in Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us and atones for our sins. This assurance is foundational to our faith and our relationship with God.

"I am writing to you, little children, since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name."

1 John 2:12

You are accepted. God accepts you in the beloved, not based on your intellect, good looks, connections, or works, but by His grace. Sometimes we struggle with forgiving ourselves for the sins we've committed. We feel ashamed and wish we could undo our mistakes. But when we harbor such feelings, we imply that our standards are higher than God's. This is a problem. We need to remember who we are in Christ. God is with you, you are in His beloved, and you have been and are being forgiven.

Let's return to Ephesians 1:7. You have "…the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…"

See how all this is according to the riches of His grace. There’s more than enough to go around. You can’t sin so much that you’re out of reach of God’s power to forgive.

God's forgiveness is complete and eternal. It removes our sins as far as the east is from the west, casting them into the depths of the sea (Psalm 103:12). This forgiveness is available to us because of the riches of His grace, which is boundless and inexhaustible. Embrace the freedom and joy that this forgiveness brings, knowing that you are accepted and loved by God, not because of who you are or what you have done, but because of His amazing grace.