Redemption

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace – Ephesians 1:7

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We know more about the church of Ephesus than any other church in the New Testament. This is because of a great deal of correspondence concerning this church and the apostle Paul also stayed in Ephesus on two occasions; a brief stopover and a prolonged stay of about two to three years.  He was the first Christian missionary to this city. Therefore, it was also an important city in the early Church history.  

In Ephesians 1 we read about the wonderful spiritual riches in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and how God provide these riches for us, including our redemption. In Him, our Lord and Saviour, we have redemption. We can not trust in anything, or anyone else for our redemption. 

 In the time of the apostle Paul, Ephesus was a huge port city. It was one of the largest cities in the Roman empire. A metropolis of commerce and finance. In this city there was also an enormous pagan temple dedicated to Artemis. This temple was the largest Greek temple ever built.  It was central to Ephesian life and also visited by many. We can imagine how the Ephesians came to this temple daily and worshipped a false idol, the lady of Ephesus. 

The apostle Paul wants to make sure that the Ephesian believers understand this incredible important truth:  in Christ we have redemption. In Him we are fully set free. In no one else. Only in Christ.  Paul's message is also for us today. We are redeemed, free from bondage and are no longer under condemnation. We are fully free in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. We do not hope for it, because we already have it. 

Today, only a few fragments remains of the colossal temple at Ephesus. The British museum houses artefacts and remains of the goddess of Ephesus. In contrast, we know that our Redeemer lives. As we read in in Job 19:25: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.'' Amen

Reflection on Ephesians 1:1-12 by Hanne

Spirit of gentleness | In spiritu lenitatis

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted - Galatians 6:1.

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Reflecting on the pastoral writings of St. Paul to the church in Galatia. This church was primarily of early Gentile converts, who might still be struggling with their old pagan beliefs & practices, and might even conform to pagan occult practices out of habit or fear of being ostracized by non-believers.

It’s also a good reminder that each of us are called to be our brothers or sisters’ keepers, not to act like the religious police (or Pharisee), in condemning the sinner but rather to offer a taste of God’s tender mercy, if the brother or sister shows remorse, and a firm resolve to turn away from those sinful practices/habits. Like how our LORD offered His tender mercy and compassion to the woman caught in adultery and told her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” (John 8:11).

As our (late) Pope Francis who compared the church to a field hospital during a Papal Audience in 2019, The church is like “a field hospital” that must care for the sick, even when our actions incite envy and hatred in others (Pope at Audience: Church a ‘field hospital’ that cares for sick - Vatican News).

I’ll close my short sharing with this hymn penned by Selah:

Wonderful, Merciful, Saviour 

Wonderful, merciful Savior

Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would've thought that a Lamb could

Rescue the souls of men

Oh, You rescue the souls of men 

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper 

Spirit we long to embrace 

You offer hope when our hearts have 

Hopelessly lost our way 

Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way 

You are the One that we praise 

You are the One we adore 

You give the healing and grace 

Our hearts always hunger for 

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

Almighty, infinite Father 

Faithfully loving Your own 

Here in our weakness You find us 

Falling before Your throne 

Oh, we're falling before Your throne 

You are the One that we praise 

You are the One we adore 

You give the healing and grace 

Our hearts always hunger for 

Oh, our hearts always hunger for 

You are the One that we praise 

You are the One we adore 

You give the healing and grace 

Our hearts always hunger for 

Oh, our hearts always hunger for 

CCLI Song # 106879 | CCLI License # 167739 

Dawn Rodgers | Eric Wyse

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For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com 

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Reflection on Galatians 6:1-10 by Chris Tan.

Transformed | Nova creatura

We have been transformed into a new creation - Galatians 6:15.

Very often we want to become better and change ourselves. We make commitments and start new projects. We sign up for new training programs, and so on. But everything we begin by our own strength is usually not lasting. We need something else to encourage us and transform us.

The Apostle Paul discovered that only the grace of God can make a difference in a person's life. He himself declared: "Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal 6:14). The sign of the cross is the best explanation of how this grace works. When you are totally abandoned and without strength, you can only depend on the grace that comes from heaven — for as Paul heard the Lord say to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). 

The grace of God is the grace of divine love. Like every true love, it heals you without effort on your part, for "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Rom 5:5). You can think of your parents' love, or of true friends who love you not because of what you do, but because you are precious in their eyes.

The Apostle Paul experienced how strong the love of Jesus is as he traveled alone through his life. He came to acknowledge that nothing and no one could fulfill all his desires but the love of Christ. He was deeply transformed by Jesus' presence and his holy word. Thus he could begin a new life in the grace of God, for "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (2 Cor 6:17). He found peace and mercy not among men in this world, but in the heavenly Kingdom — that "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Phil 4:7). And so he became a new person, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

How is it with you? Are you feeling lonely and abandoned? Do you feel weak and fragile on your own? Do not worry — this is our common human experience. Do not let anyone trouble you, but trust in the heavenly grace you can experience every day, in every situation — on your journey home from work, for instance. Just remember to read the Holy Bible with full attention, and let the Holy Spirit work in you, for "nothing... will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38-39).

Perhaps you too bear on your body the scars that show you belong to Jesus, as Paul himself said: "I bear on my body the scars of Jesus" (Gal 6:17). So be thankful that you are worthy to become a disciple and close friend of the Son of God.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen" (Gal 6:18).

Reflection on 1 Galatians 6:11-18  by Jozef.

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