![]() Through Christ’s redemption we are once again united with God’s master plan. ![]() Wow! This is God’s original intent and purpose for us, it was His design for us from the very beginning, to be a part of His family and in His Kingdom. Phillips translation says it this way, “For we must never forget that he rescued us from the power of darkness, and re-established us in the kingdom of his beloved Son, that is, in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:13). There are several Greek words for forgiveness but this is the idea behind the word used in Colossians 1:14. It was the means to restore the gift of the Promised Land back to the orginal owners. Land was returned to each tribe and each family clan and bond-servants were released from their indentured status. The Year of Jubilee was when everything (land & people) was restored back to original possession. It shall be a jubilee for you each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan” (Leviticus 25:10). “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. In the Septuagint (the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament), the word, aphesis, is never connected with the remission of sins (like in the New Testament), but connected with the Year of Jubilee (Vines Dictionary of New Testament Words). Lastly, we are restored to the position of God’s original intent in creation. This means we are not only forgiven but all traces of the guilt and condemnation we feel because of sin have also been removed ( Romans 8:1 Hebrews 4:16 10:22 I John 3:20-21). The cleansing agent in Jesus’ blood removes every trace and effect that sin could have on us. It is in this realization we are introduced into the liberty of Christ. Because of this, it also has the ability to deliver us from the guilt associated with sin. The greek word used for forgiveness is aphesis, which means freedom, pardon, deliverance and remission. Secondly, our redemption includes the forgiveness of sins, which pardons us from its penalty ( Romans 6:23). We are qualified to be in this place, this kingdom, because Christ has rescued us by paying the ransom demanded of the previous kingdom ( Colossians 1:12-14 2:13-15). This means we cannot experience the eternal death due to sin ( Romans 6:23) and we exist in an entirely different realm now that this translation has taken place. ![]() This is the idea that Paul is conveying in this passage in Colossians, as believers we have been translated or removed from the previous kingdom and made to stand into God’s kingdom. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God” ( Hebrews 11:5). Hebrews sheds light on this, “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death he could not be found, because God had taken him away. In Genesis, Enoch was translated from the earth into the presence of God (Genesis 5:24). We were brought into God’s Kingdom which means we legally and rightfully belong here. This means you are no longer a hostage and this kingdom has no claim on you. Several things happened when Christ redeemed you. What Adam did in the garden, Jesus undid on the Cross! Adam sold you into sin, Jesus rescued you and brought you life ( Romans 5:17-19). And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor therefore His own arm brought Him victory, and His own righteousness sustained Him” (Isaiah 59:15b-16 AMP). Jesus came to get it all back! Isaiah says, “And the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. It was a hopeless situation because the only way to undo what had been done was for mankind to redeem or ransom what was lost (Leviticus 26:25-26). Since that time, humanity was held hostage by the kingdom of darkness. When Adam transgressed in the garden, he sold mankind into slavery lock, stock and barrel. “By the giving up of His sinless life sacrificially, Christ annuls the power of sin to separate between God and the believer” (Vines Dictionary of New Testament Words). Now that this transaction has taken place, you are recused, redeemed, restored and forgiven! We Were Delivered From Sin We Are Introduced Into Freedom He purchased your deliverance from bondage, from the kingdom of Satan and translated you into His own domain. Your redemption was a legal transaction where Jesus traded His blood for your life. You are qualified because of Christ Jesus, who has secured your redemption. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14)Īs a believer, you are qualified to share in the inheritance of the men and women of faith who have gone before you ( vs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |