”In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to His Grace.” The purpose for which the Redeemer shed His blood on Calvary is that we might be a redeemed, ransomed, purchased people. Very shallow, superficial ideas have been sown in the minds of men and women in the religious world in regard to this all important matter. Without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins and apart from that which was accomplished on Calvary – there is no forgiveness and no possibility of securing a home in heaven, It is equally true that unless we are willing to have the purpose of God, when He gave His Son, fulfilled in our lives, Calvary can have no real meaning.
The story of Redemption is the story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, in all the books. Abel’s lamb that was accepted pointed to the Lamb of God. This reminds us of at least three things; he felt his need, he was convinced of his sin, and he saw he must make an absolute, unconditional surrender to God. When he laid the lamb on the altar, it symbolized his own surrender and submission – to the way and will of God. Abel being dead yet speaketh.
Cain’s offering was more pleasing to look at, he reasoned things out but erred. “Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain.”
Abraham’s lamb, the passover lamb, the lamb of the morning and evening sacrifice, the Lamb in Isaiah 53: all foreshadowed the Lamb of God, and in the New Testament, we see that Lamb in flesh and blood, the fulfillment of all that had been foreshadowed. John said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” He never forgot his introduction to the Lamb of God. The story of the Lamb is the story of Redemption and there is no hope apart from that which was accomplished on Calvary over 1900 years ago. We are reminded of this on the very first day of the week when we partake of the emblems. We miss a great deal by not having clear in our minds, when we partake, just what the purpose of God was in giving Jesus, and Jesus in giving Himself.
I am speaking of Redemption, not from a theoretical or doctrinal standpoint, but from a practical view. “In whom we have Redemption.” Paul uses three words in this connection to make clear the purpose of Redemption “that He might,” Romans 14:9, “Christ died and rose and revived that he might be Lord, both of the dead and of the living.” On each occasion, when we read these words, Paul was writing regarding the meaning and purpose of Redemption. “When Jesus gave Himself on that middle cross that He might be Lord of the dead (those who are dead in trespasses and in sin) and of the living (those who have been quickened and made alive), I want to emphasize that He died, rose and revived that he might be your Lord, my Lord, the Lord of your heart life, Lord of your home life, Lord of your business life, Lord of all, and if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. It is not possible for Jesus to be our Savior, unless we are willing for Jesus, the only Savior, to be our Lord.
The Lordship of Jesus was the kernel of the gospel in apostolic days. Emphasis today is placed on Jesus as Savior. That is not the gospel. It appeals to the selfishness of the human heart, as all want Jesus for a Savior when they look into eternity. The real difference between the false and the true gospel is that emphasis is placed on the word Lord. Who has the first claim on all you are and all you have? Who do you consult most often in regard to your plans? If it is the Lord – the purpose of Calvary is being fulfilled in your life. It is easy to confess Jesus as teacher, example, even as Redeemer, but not quite as easy to confess Him as Lord. “Christ both died, rose and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” How selfish to accept from His hands forgiveness of sin and not be willing for Him to be Lord. Every truly redeemed soul can sing from their hearts, “Reign over me, Lord Jesus, oh make my heart Thy home, It shall be Thine forever, it shall be thine alone.” Titus 2:12-14, “Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
There is a negative and a positive side to every Christian life; there are things to say “No” to and things to encourage others to do. We should read these four verses often. He gave Himself, He couldn’t give anymore or any less: not merely that we might go to heaven when we die and have an easy way of forgiveness, but to Redeem a people for His possession. What is iniquity? Jesus loved righteousness and hated iniquity. I know of nothing so dangerous as to allow a spirit of iniquity to possess us. It is the thing that says in you, “I want my own way, my own plans, to indulge my own whims and fancies. I don’t want a master, I don’t want a Lord, I can guide my own life, my own plans are just as pleasing as the way He marked out.” There is no room in the Kingdom on earth or in heaven for anyone governed by such thoughts, no room for any who reject Him as master and as Lord. “He gave Himself to redeem us from all iniquity.” From lawlessness – anarchy. There is a law in this land that one entering this country cannot be an anarchist. No room in His Kingdom for lawless men and women.
Matthew 7 speaks of two kinds of ways, a narrow way and a broad way. Two kinds of preachers, false and true. Read verses 21-23. Jesus said, “I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” What was wrong with their profession? A great name among themselves, took His word and His name and claimed His precious blood, but would not take His way. Taking His way is the test. Are you then willing to have His purpose fulfilled in your life? Why do you not go here and there, indulge in this and that, associate with other company? Because Christ is your Lord. “Purify unto Himself a peculiar people,” a people for His own possession – “who were not a people but are now the people of God, a royal priest hood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” To whom do you belong? Whose property are you? If you are a redeemed soul and submitted to His Lordship – “you are not your own.” There was a time when you were your own, but you have been bought with a price. It is possible to own property but never succeed in getting possession of it. We are the property of Him who bought us, His creatures and one day we are to give an account. We are His by creation and His by redemption. He tasted death for every man. John 3:16, “whosoever” regardless of race, color, or nationality. We are His by creation, by redemption, whether we recognize it or not. I am speaking mainly to those who are His by choice.
Galatians 1:4, “Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world.” No other could settle the question of our sins that have piled up against us and for which he will one day have to give account. “That He might deliver us.” Are you afraid of this present evil world? I wish the purpose of redemption was more fully fulfilled in our lives. Corruption rules and reigns on every hand, but the purpose of Redemption is that we might be delivered from the corruption in the social, political, and business world. Are the daughters of Zion more worldly this year than last? Is the world, its habits, customs, and fashions more attractive, or are you governed by modesty, economy, and neatness? Read Hebrews 11, and it will help us to understand the difference between the ones we read about there and others that lived at that time. There men and women were not influenced in their thoughts, words and actions by what they saw with their outward eye, but by the things which were unseen and eternal.
Abraham obeyed when be didn’t understand, and went forward when he couldn’t see, turned his back on all the ways that the Chaldees offered, he saw another city whose builder and maker is God.
Moses, heir to the throne of Egypt, at forty years of age, with the world at his feet, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter – had strength of will and character enough to refuse. He chose rather to suffer with the people of God. This matter of Redemption is a matter of choice. Moses looked ahead, he was a far-seeing man, he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. It would be a happy ending to this convention if we would purpose to have the purpose of Redemption fulfilled in our lives. Jesus gave Himself that He might be Lord, that He might redeem us – that He might deliver us from this present evil world.
Truth Archive 