0920. The Cross and Redemption

The Cross and Redemption

"In Whom we have redemption through His Blood" (Eph_1:7).

There are certain things which Christians need always to keep in mind. There are churches which place crosses above their steeples, there are individuals who wear crosses on a chain around their necks; but, how few know the redemptive meaning of the Cross. "Redemption" is a great word. It suggests that we have been bought back, taken out, saved from under bondage unto sin, and that we are restored to Him from Whom we went astray.

1. We are redeemed from the Law (see Gal_3:10-13). Why should Christians seek to live under Law, when the Cross has placed them under grace? The flesh can not keep the Law. Christ kept it and in His death redeemed us from its curse.

2. We are redeemed from our vain conversation, received by tradition from the elders (see 1Pe_1:18). This verse shows that the Cross stands not only between us and the Law, but it also stands between us and man-made religious formalisms. Why should we become entangled again with a yoke of bondage? Judaism, with its rites and its ceremonies, is not for the Church. Judaism, with its many traditions, is not for sons. The precious Blood of Jesus Christ has redeemed us from such things.

3. We are redeemed from the power of darkness (see Col_1:13). The Cross has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. The Cross has delivered us from the power and authority of darkness, and has translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love. The Apostle Paul said that he had been called of God to turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God. The age in which we live is an age of darkness; it is "this present evil age;" satan is its god. The believer has been redeemed from such an age. He is walking in the light. His pathway is one which shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Darkness speaks of sin and of every evil device. Christians are called out from these devices. They are children of the light.

4. We are redeemed from our sins (see Eph_1:7). Jesus Christ loved us and washed us from our sins in His own Blood. It is in Him that we "have redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins." It is true that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." It is also true that believers have been justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

The question, therefore that presents itself to the believer is an important one. If we have been saved from our sins, shall we continue in sin? If we have died on the Cross unto sin, how shall we live any longer therein? Let no man yield his members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. We were once the servants of unrighteousness, we are now the servants of righteousness, unto holiness, The Cross is God's loud call to the believer to live a victorious life. If the believer sins, he has an advocate with the. Father; if the believer sins and confesses his sin, God is faithful and just to forgive him and cleanse him, but this is no excuse for the believer to keep on sinning".

John said, "Little children, I write unto you that you sin not." God has given us the Holy Spirit, and the life of prayer, and the indwelling Word, and the armor of righteousness for the express purpose of making it possible for us to live in victory over sin. Christ died to redeem us–that is to buy us back from the old life and to establish us in the

5. We are redeemed from every kindred every tongue, every tribe, and every nation (see Rev_5:9). This Scripture does not mean that every kindred, every tongue, and every tribe will be redeemed; but it does mean that those who are redeemed, were redeemed out from them. Peter preached: "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Between every believer and the world hangs the Cross of Calvary. God has bought us back from the world.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR