2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Isaiah 39:1-41:16 ESV, Ephesians 1:1-23 ESV, Psalm 66:1-20 ESV, Proverbs 23:25-28 ESV
Daily Verse: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” (Ephesians 1:7 ESV)
APOLUTROSIS (629): “Summary: This word means to be purchased from the slave market of sin, totally set free, never to be sold again. Apolutrosis, as a noun, is a strengthened form of lutrosis (3085) and means lit., “a releasing, for (i.e., on payment of) a ransom.”[1]
Totally set free.
Jesus redeemed us on the Cross, purchasing us from the slave market of sin. When our misdeeds hold us captive, we need someone to provide a way out. Christ took on our burdens, opening the door for a new life in Him.
Sadly, many in our world don’t trust Jesus because they don’t trust us. All humans will fail at some point in time. The people you love most will let you down for one simple reason, human nature. We can’t help but falter; only with Christ can we find the redemption we need.
Fully redeemed.
Jesus knows everything about you. The big secret you think no one knows, Jesus does. Christ loves you despite your imperfections. God understands you better than you know you.
Therapy helps me love the good, bad, and ugly parts of me. Through Christ-centered counseling, I learn to see myself through Jesus’s eyes. When God reveals the sin in our lives, we repent and try not to do it again. But if we do, Jesus forgives us:
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
When Christ redeemed us, He set us free from our transgressions. Repeatedly, Jesus forgives us; as Christ forgives, so should we. Setting others free from their offenses against us takes work and Jesus. We can’t do what Jesus did for us unless we align ourselves with Him.
Acknowledge the ugly in your life, and ask Jesus for forgiveness. As you receive redemption through Christ, help others do the same. The more we become like Jesus, the more love, mercy, and grace we will share with the world.
Leave the slave market of sin behind as you pursue Jesus with all your heart, mind, body, and soul. In Him, you will find redemption and new life.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p.37) Thomas Nelson
