Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:7b
…the forgiveness of our trespasses...
Ephesians 1:7b
As we continue to see the depths of our blessedness as Christians, there is an immediate expectation for those who have apprehended this reality, that they are praising and thanking God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, acknowledging clearly the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in His own Son, Jesus Christ. The deeper the understanding of God’s work, the higher the praising and thanking of Him goes forth, from the lives of those who are in Christ. As it shows the importance of wider and higher view of our blessedness in Christ, the hope is that those who have a clear comprehension of this would truly produce the kind of praising of the Lord that resembles the heavenly praises in the heavenly places.
In continuation of understanding the work of His Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ, there is also a continuous broadening of what must be our understanding with regards our blessedness in Christ Himself: “In him we have. . .the forgiveness of our trespasses (v.7b)”. Not only there is redemption that occurred because of Christ, simultaneously or alongside that redemption there is also a pardoning, a canceling of debts, or forgiveness of trespasses for those whom have been united by God in His own Son – Christ. This can be taken as well as part of the nature of the redemption in Christ, for it frees the guilty ones. However, this must be taken as well as another work of God that has been sealed and paid by the blood of Christ – His sacrificial death on our behalf. Yes, the cost of our forgiveness is the blood of the Son of God. And this is the only way Christ must achieve the forgiveness that His people need – without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. God has provided the forgiveness that mankind needs, no other than in His Son alone. Remember that it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. This good news that we hold on to, is the same message that must be proclaimed up to this present age. For in it, we have our living hope that we are forgiven through Christ, and for His glory alone! Christians therefore, are those who have been forgiven by God through Christ! There is no Christian that is not forgiven or pardoned! And this is the new reality of every saint – redeemed to become His own, forgiven because He now owns!
What is it to us, dear saint? This work of Christ has brought into reality the will of God – that we might be reconciled with Him. Our debts are paid by Christ in His sacrificial death, and this brought the limitless grace of God which causes our blessedness - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. What praises must be brought to His name, the name above every name? What shall be rendered to Him, who deserves all the glory for who He is, and what He has done? This must be said from the heart: “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.” The forgiveness that we have because of Christ is God’s delight. He delights in showing mercy, to whom He wants to bestow mercy. Can you comprehend this, dear saint? In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Blessed are you, if you are already found in Christ, dear saint! Ransomed by Him, pardoned through Him!
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Do you always remember the forgiveness that you have from God because of Christ?
2. Do you keep in mind that the cost of your forgiveness is the death of Christ?
3. Do you glorify Christ because of what He has done for your forgiveness?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Read
Romans 3:21-26
Pray
Father in Heaven, I come before You, as Your child, in the Name of Your Son, to praise and thank You for blessing me the greatest blessing I could ever ask for. Thank You for granting me my highest good, and my ultimate portion – Your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ, through whom, all Your works are established. Thank You for the forgiveness that You have given through Him, and I praise You for You are the God who delights in showing mercy to a poor and unworthy sinner like me. I pray, Father, that You grant me a heart of gratitude towards Him, who has secured this blessing that I have in Him – pardoned. I pray, Father, that in Your limitless grace, I would live a life that glorifies Him, and Him alone. In His Name I pray. Amen.
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