God Is Redeemer

MEMORY TEXT: “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” —Ephesians 1:7

ROMANS 3:21-26; HEBREWS 10:19-22; EPHESIANS 1:3-8

JESUS is set forth in the Scriptures as the Redeemer. As our memory verse points out, we have redemption through his blood. However, the Scriptures likewise teach that God, the Father, is the Author of his great plan of redemption, so it is proper to think of him also as our Redeemer. It is from this standpoint that Paul in Romans 3:21-26 speaks of the “righteousness of God.” Paul explains that this righteousness, or justification, is “by faith of Christ Jesus”; faith, that is, in Christ Jesus.

In verse 24 Paul speaks of the “redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Our redemption is in, or through, Christ Jesus, because he is the One who died as our Redeemer. God, the Father, did not die, but he gave his beloved Son that he might die, which he willingly did, and thus redemption from sin, and salvation to life, have been provided for all who accept them.

Verse 25 states that God has “set forth [margin, or, fore-ordained] Christ “to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission [margin, or, passing over] of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” The word “propitiation” is an interesting one. It denotes satisfaction. The Apostle John uses it, and explains that Jesus is a propitiation for our sins, and also for the sins of the whole world.—I John 2:2

Many fail to realize that God’s great plan of salvation extends beyond the believers of the Gospel Age; that there is a future age during which all mankind, including those who have died, will then be awakened from the sleep of death, and will be given an opportunity to believe. Truly, God’s redemptive love is all-comprehensive!—John 3:16

In Hebrews 10:19-22 Paul draws a lesson from Israel’s typical tabernacle. That tabernacle, with its two compartments, called the holy and the most holy, pictures the present consecrated life of the Christian, and his future life with the Lord in heavenly glory. We have boldness, or liberty, as the marginal translation states, to enter into the holiest of all; that is, into that condition of heavenly glory that was pictured by the most holy of the tabernacle.

We do not actually enter into this state of glory by ourselves. The thought is that through the blood of Christ, which makes our imperfect works acceptable, we realize that we are at liberty to accept and to act upon the promises of God which assure us of this heavenly reward. Paul wrote, “Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.”—Heb.3:1

We have a wonderful High Priest. He did not offer an animal sacrifice for us, but rather, he offered himself. He gave his own flesh in sacrificial death that we might live. So, through him, we can draw near to God “with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” The “water” is a reference to the basin, or laver, of water in the court which surrounded the tabernacle. Here the priests washed, and in the antitype all who dedicate themselves to being under-priests with Jesus must also wash. With us it is not literal water, but “the water of the Word.”—Eph. 5:26

In Ephesians 1:3-8 Paul reminds us of the blessings we have received from the Father through Christ, and describes them as “spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” While through the redemptive work of Christ mankind in general will be restored to life on the earth, as Christians we are exhorted to set our affections on things above, not on the things on the earth. Paul locates the things above by saying that they are “where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”—Col. 3:1-3

James declares that “known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (Acts 15:18) And Paul says that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. (vs.4) This does not mean the predestination of individuals, but of the class which will live and reign with Christ in the kingdom, the spiritual ruling house of the Lord, which will be set up in symbolic Zion.—Micah 4:1-4

QUESTIONS

Who is the Author of the plan of redemption, and through whom do we have salvation?

Did Jesus die for others besides the believers of the Gospel Age?

Explain what it means to enter into the “holiest of all.”

What is the water by which we are washed?

Where should we set our “affection”?

Does God predestinate individuals?

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