“giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the
saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into
the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins”. Col.1:12-14
The man fell when he disobeyed God and obeyed Satan. The result was man inherited a
curse instead of a blessing. In Deut. 28: 15-68 we understand that the consequences of
the curse on a man can be classified into three: spiritual death or separation from God,
sickness/disease, and poverty. The cost of redeeming man from the curse is too high
that no one could pay it. A criminal cannot bail out another criminal in a court of law.
Similarly, a sinner cannot bail any man from the curse brought on by sin. “for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Therefore no man was qualified
to pay the price for our redemption. Thank God that Jesus stepped forward and paid the
price that we could not pay. He did not pay it partially. He paid it in full. “After this, Jesus,
knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said,
“I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with
sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus received the sour
wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” John 19:28-30.
Having paid the price He now offers redemption freely to any man that will receive it.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” Titus 2:11. Note
that this grace is offered to everyone. An offer or a gift will not profit a person to whom
it is offered until he receives it. So, though redemption or salvation of man has been
paid for and freely available to everyone it will only be effective in the life of the one that
receives it. The question is how do we receive the grace of God? “Through whom also
we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory
of God.” Rom.5:2. Faith grants us access to this grace/unmerited favor of God. “If you
declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom.10:9.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect
day.” Prov.4:18. The best days of the righteous are not behind them but before them
