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blood, bringing with it forgiveness, Eph. 1: 14 being the concluding redemption bringing
with its entry into our inheritance in resurrection. When therefore the Apostle penned the
words "in Whom we have redemption" all that we have seen and more is to be found in
these most wonderful types which are intended by him in the adoption and perpetuation
of this sacrificial term. This Redeemer was indeed a Kinsman-Redeemer, a ransom had
been paid and a release effected. There are some who while going as far with us in this
matter, hesitate to endorse in its fullness the Old Testament sacrificial system, and would
indeed suggest that here, in this most spiritual of all Paul's epistles, the grosser and lower
aspects of the Old Testament ritual, right and proper though they may have been in the
age when they were instituted, must be left behind as we contemplate all spiritual
blessings as our lot and portion. This however is shattered by the fact that Paul
unhesitatingly and of purpose adds the words "through His blood", before he proceeds to
the forgiveness of sins, and not only so, he repeats himself in Col. 1: 14, as though he
would say as he did another context "as we said before, so say I now again". A reading
of these two epistles of the Mystery, Ephesians and Colossians, will reveal that even
though our blessings are "all spiritual", even though our sphere is in "heavenly places",
even though we were chosen before the foundation of the world that we should be "holy",
our access to these blessings, our meetness for such a sphere, is provided for us, as it
must be provided for any believing sinner of whatever calling or sphere, by the sacrificial
offering of the Saviour. It is true not only for the Hebrews, but for the Gentiles, that
"without the shedding of blood is no remission".
There are four references to the blood of Christ in the epistles of the mystery, which
we should keep before us.
A |
Eph. 1: 7. Redemption through His blood--forgiveness.
B
| Eph. 2: 13. Far off ones made nigh . . . so making peace.
A |
Col. 1: 14. Redemption through His blood--forgiveness.
B
| Col. 1: 20. Peace made, all things reconciled.
It will be seen from these references that even though the number is small, that they
cover the two great categories, namely Redemption that is FROM (Eph. 1: 7; Col. 1: 14),
the deliverance aspect, and the Reconciliation which is TO, the subsequent access and
acceptance. It is important that we do not stress the one to the exclusion or minimizing of
the other. God did not lead Israel out of Egypt only to abandon them on the shores of the
Red Sea, and again, God did not speak of tabernacle, priest and access, until the initial
redemption from Egypt had been accomplished. It requires both the redemption out of
and reconciliation unto to embrace the blessings that flow to the believer "through His
blood". The specific blessing "the forgiveness of sins" is too precious and too important
to be dispatched in a few lines--let us approach this most vital and gracious provision
with expectant hearts and consider it in our next article.