… in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.
Summary: Paul has a detailed way of conveying his thoughts. Sometimes his meanings can be lost in the words. It is worth stopping to ponder what Paul is saying and think about the story behind the words.
Let’s begin this meditation with the full context of Paul’s thought:
“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.”
Everything Paul wrote is true. If we have trusted in Jesus, we have been redeemed in much the same way as a prisoner on death row is redeemed when they receive a pardon.
Our prison, oddly, is our own body. Our body was intended to house our spirit in harmony with our Father’s will. Instead, as a result of Adam and Eve’s rebellion (Genesis 3:1-7), the “eyes” of our body were opened and developed a will of its own. Like a child strapped in the back seat of a car, we feel powerless to oppose the “elemental spiritual forces” (Colossians 2:8) driving the car.
Guilt by association follows. Every selfish act of the body covers all parts of the body with guilt. Like a child born in prison, we don’t know anything different. This is not how a family is supposed to be, but it is the family we are born into. Somewhere in our being is the will, the ability to decide between doing good or doing evil. Sadly, because of the shortcomings we were born into, without God’s help we can’t even tell the difference.
The “pardon” we receive includes forgiveness for every crime ever committed. It is a completely fresh start. More than just a pardon from prison, God’s redemption includes being released into a new family. Instead of going back to our old family and our old ways, we are adopted into the family of the King of Kings.
If this were all there was to the story, it would be enough. People born into a crime family condemned to death are given their freedom. Along with their freedom, they are given forgiveness for every debt against God and, in a stunning turn of events, granted adoption into God’s family.
But there is more to the story. Much more!
As Paul hints in his all-encompassing sentence, there is a back story. Why was the pardon given? What did it cost? Why did someone pay the price for the pardon?
The answer is that God sent his Son, Jesus, to be born on earth and become a man. Once grown, the plan was for the Son of God to submit to human authority completely. Even to the point of allowing the created beings to kill the Creator. This was the price paid for the ability to pardon all of humanity forever. It was a price paid in blood.
At this point in the story, one has to ask the question, “Why would anyone do such a thing?” The answer is not rational, nor is it reasonable. It is simply that God loves us. Deeply.
This is not a stupid love that rationalizes away bad behavior. This is not a blind love that closes its eyes to our faults. This is a love that loves us despite our shortcomings. It is a love that wants us to come home and be with our family. It is a love that Paul describes as “the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”
Application: Close your eyes for a moment and reflect on God’s boundless love for you.
Food for Thought: What is the difference between sharing the Good News of Jesus using Paul’s words and using our own?
Interesting question brother.
I think as long as we are communicating the message clearly and accurately we are on the right path. Whether we use Paul’s terminology or interpret it to the culture through our own words – as long as it is the same message – it is the gospel message that leads to life. We are called to share this out of love for others (2 Corinthians 5: -4 – 21; Romans 1: 16 – 17; Ephesians 1: 13).
Thank you, Rich.
I agree – it is an interesting question. I remember being in a Bible Study leadership group that required us to write a homily for each week’s lesson. Their technique involved restating the Bible’s text in our own words. Many in the group objected and/or found this very difficult to do.
Preaching the Word requires us to use our own words. While these words are not scripture, it is clear that God uses preaching to compel mankind to belief and salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
JEC –
Good morning! Thank you for joining in! I like the passage you referenced! “We preach Christ crucified…” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
It’s a pretty simple message! Wisdom to the wise and foolishness to the … well, you know. 🙂
Paul’s words or my words would both include the word ‘grace’.
Grace is God doing for me what I could not do for myself.
Anon-
Thank you! I like that you include your definition of “grace.” That makes all the difference! 🙂
02-11-2023, What is the difference between sharing the Good News of Jesus using Paul’s words and using our own?
As a new believer, with job problems, I was asked one Sunday, “ How is the job hunt going?” I responded, “Not Good.” This kindly old saint placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom go God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” He then walked away. He spoke God’s Word, but I stood there wondering, what does that have to do with my problem?
God used people to record His word, His Holy Spirit told them what to write, and He has preserved His truths’s for all eternity. He uses people to spread His truth’s. Preachers and Evangelists teach in our churches, and every believer is called to serve others by the power of the Holy Spirit, as our lives reveal God’s truths. As followers of Jesus we should be daily studying and applying God’s written word to our lives and by the power of the Holy Spirit, present ourselves always, as believers in our one true God.
At the same time, look at the woman at the well John 4:28-30, 39-42, or the demon posses man who roamed the graveyard in the region of the Gerasenes Mark 5:1-20. They as well as many others shared their testimony of God’s power in their lives.
The Holy Spirit is convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgement to come, John 16:8. All those brought within our sphere of influence by God are under conviction of the Holy Spirit who will provide the power and ability to be God’s witness, as He calls, convicts of their sins, and knows what they need to hear. We simply get out of the way and allow all of this to take place as God’s word is presented to others in words they understand. Acts 1:8
Ron,
Nicely written!! I love how you give illustrations of God’s Holy Spirit working through the Bible’s written word and then show us how the Holy Spirit works through people who don’t have the written word but still share the Good News about Jesus Christ! Thank you!