In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:14
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12
Have you ever observed a child and watch them as they go through their toddler years? I think it would be safe to say, they are still immature and learning. They do not have an understanding of the world and how it works. They also have not been in this world long enough to learn about emotions, behavior, what is good and bad, right and wrong. Yet, they are born with this knowledge. We know they have something there, because you tell them no for the first time, and a fit like you have never seen before from this angelic creature comes out. That sweet bundle of joy, all of the sudden, expresses itself in a way that it was not taught to do. They were born with it. The more you observe your sweet angel they’re a perfect child as long as they are getting their own way. This is called selfishness. From here on out this will be an emotional battle this child will come against the rest of their life. This selfishness will drive them to make choices that will lead them down dark roads, broken relationships, unruly behavior and much more, unless they are taught otherwise. Where did this selfishness come from? How did it manifest itself without being taught? The answer is sin.
Everyone of us is born with a sinful heart. That sinful heart expresses itself as selfishness within our lives. We want things done our way, in our time frame, and it always leads down a wide dark road of destruction unless we are taught otherwise, or learn from others there is a better way. That selfishness that drives us, and that road of destruction we leave requires us too eventually be accountable for it. No, it isn’t our fault that we are born with it. No, it is not fair. No, we shouldn’t have to apologize for it. That line of thinking again is selfish. We are bound, enslaved, and trapped by it. We cannot get rid of it, but we can find a way to gain redemption from it. A way of redemption for this selfish nature we are born with.
I think we can all agree that there is a price, reconciliation, punishment, karma, etc. that must be paid in order to balance the scales of the sinful, selfish nature. Whatever the price, it must be the opposite of selfishness. It has to be honest, pure, loving, selfless, caring, without fault or blame of any wrong doing. I look at myself to find that price and there is no way I can reconcile that on my own. That selfish, sinful nature is a constant battle within me and there is nothing I have that will equal the value of pure to wipe my slate clean. A truth we can all stand on is that our wrong doings, our bad attituded, or selfish nature must be atoned for, before we can move forward in a life of light and forgiveness. Right? Do you see what I am talking about? There is always a payment to be made for wrong doing in this world. Selfishness classifies as wrong doing, because selfishness always motivates us to make choice and commit acts based on our own thoughts and feelings. Thoughts and feelings change on a whim of our circumstances and is not a concrete foundation to build our lives and choices on. Yes, it is a constant battle within ourselves, but there is a way to overcome it!
When God says I have redemption, what he is saying is, “If you will accept my son as the sacrifice for your sinful nature, then I will pay the price for you.” What? Am I getting this right? God is offering to freely pay the ransom for my selfish soul, to release me from the bondage that sin placed on me when I was born. Not just release me from the debt I cannot pay myself, but to rescue me from what will come of me if I cannot pay that debt myself. You see, God took His son that was created perfect and without fault or blame, and offered him as the sacrifice for your selfish, sinful nature. He provided a way for us all, and He also gave us free choice to choose it.
When God looks as us, he sees us as a child with no way out of our sinful nature, He has mercy and compassion on us. He provided the only thing he loved most in this world so we could find redemption. As we accepted that free gift he offered and acknowledge Him for it, He sees us a pure, holy, without blame, spotless, clean, blessed, his heir, Loved, chosen, adopted, and most of all free! We are no longer bond by the chains of our sinful, selfish nature. We are set free from the punishment for it, and the ransom due. The possibilities for our lives then become endless and everlasting and even though we will still have that selfish nature rise to take over our choices within us, we will never be alone again to deal with it. We are free from the consequence, and have a Savior to look to for help and guidance.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:22-23
by keri payne 