In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Christmas is a time of expectations!
As time goes on we learn to temper our expectations a bit; we don’t really expect a Lexus to be in the driveway, but for children expectations are what Christmas is all about!
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
There’s nothing more fun than coming up with a gift that exceeds a child’s expectations; a gift that truly surprises!
I can remember coming down the stairs on Christmas morning as a boy and finding a “Johnny Quest Space Station” set out under the tree! That toy still sticks out in my memory as one of the great gifts I received in my childhood!
In Ephesians Paul describes the extravagant and surprising gift of God:
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
There are three extravagant and costly gifts in these verses; each exceeding all expectations.
First, we see the gift of redemption.
The root Greek word translated here as redemption is lutroo, meaning "to obtain release by the payment of a price." The word was often used to refer to the act of buying freedom for a slave.
So how is it that we need the gift of redemption? The gift of redemption makes no sense unless we understand that we are captives who need to be set free.
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from a college student. The student, who is a follower of Jesus, described several conversations with fellow students who are, in a sense, trapped by a life-perspective that does not include God.
The student wrote, in part:
I hope to learn as much as I can so that I can reach a group of individuals that I think is possibly the hardest to reach with the gospel despite how close they are in proximity to it - the American college student.
I find that many of my peers, whether through just pain of past experiences, personal beliefs, desire to fulfill stereotypes, egotism, or hunger for independence, tend to live by principles of atheism rather than rely on God, (and the result is often unspoken loneliness and sadness).
I’m sure these students do not think of themselves as “captives” needing to be set free; but, the truth it, until they receive the gift of redemption, they are captive to their own desires and the expectations of the culture around them; and, ultimately, to sin.
The second gift is forgiveness.
The Greek word translated as forgiveness is aphesis and it refers to release from bondage or imprisonment. It points to a pardon from penalty as if the offense had never occurred.
Now we all know what forgiveness is; and we all know we need forgiveness because we carry within us the regrets of a thousand words, deeds or thoughts that we know have hurt others, including those we love. But the part of forgiveness that we struggle to understand is the “as if the offense had never occurred” part.
Whether we are offering or receiving forgiveness from others we find it impossible to experience such complete forgiveness. We almost always retain a morsel of guilt or resentment as a kind of sludge that sticks to our hearts.
Not so with God.
The word used for “sins” here is best translated “trespasses” and is synonymous with “sins,” but the nuance indicates not just “sin in general” but specific instances of sin. It’s as if God is saying that in Christ our sins are forgiven; including that specific sin...and that one too, oh, and that one that you thought no one knew about as well! All of the specific acts and thoughts and words and unkindnesses and failures we have ever committed against God and against others; all the sludge that sticks so stubbornly in our hearts and minds; all are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ.
This kind of forgiveness can never be expected or earned; it is always undeserved.
This is one of the truths that many, many people struggle with in forgiving others. We have a tendency to want the person who hurt us or wronged us to somehow deserve our forgiveness. But, the truth is, they can’t. Forgiveness is never deserved; it can only be offered as a gift!
The third gift is grace.
Grace is often defined as the “unmerited favor of God.”
Grace is the “upside down” power of the gospel itself.
In Philippians Paul writes:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Grace is “upside down” because God’s grace precedes our “goodness.” Most religions assume that human beings must learn to be good in order to receive God’s grace and favor. Christianity teaches that God offers us his grace in Christ in order to produce good in us. Grace comes first; our good works come second!
Grace, therefore, is always undeserved.
Pastor Brian Coffey
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