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Lessons for Little Ones.
#6. Redemption.
pp. 26, 27
We have seen from Rom. 5: that to be in the line of Adam involves us in sin,
condemnation and death, and that to be in the line of Christ brings us into righteousness
and life.
REDEMPTION.--In Romans 5: will be noticed the recurrence of the words, "free
gift", "grace", righteousness". How are these blessings made ours? Are any righteous
in themselves? (see Rom. 3: 10). Can any make himself righteous by his own efforts?
(see 3: 20). How then can this righteousness be ours?
"But now, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.....even the
righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all that believe: for there is
no difference: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified
(accounted righteous) freely (as a gift) by His grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus" (3: 21-24).
Here we see that without works (Rom. 4: 4) and so by grace, righteousness is made
ours as a free gift THROUGH REDEMPTION. What that redemption is the next verse
goes on to explain:--
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (a mercy seat) through faith in His blood."
The Passover (Exod. 12:) will illustrate this: note verse 7, the blood sprinkled; the
blood a token or sign; the blood saves (13). Lev. 17: 11 shows that the "blood is the
life", and so when the Lord Jesus shed His blood He gave His life to pay the price of
redemption. Rom. 5: 9 speaks of being justified by His blood, Eph. 1: 7 says we "have
redemption through His blood", Heb. 9: 14 shows that the blood of Christ cleanses the
conscience, I Pet. 1: 18, 19 tells us that we were not redeemed with corruptible things
like silver and gold, "but with the precious blood of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish
and without spot", I John 1: 7 says, "the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from
all sin". Reading on in Rom. 3: 25, 26 we find that by reason of the redemption of the
Lord Jesus God declares His righteousness, not merely kindness for the remission of the
sins of the past and of the present. We may not therefore that
edemption brings
R
emission of sins, and
ighteousness.
How this becomes ours we shall see in our lesson. Read through together the story of
the Passover, drawing out the gospel lesson in all its fullness; consider as many types of
redemption by blood as the child can appreciate: the book of Leviticus will supply many;
do not forget Isa. 53: Learn John 10: 1-8.