Redeemed By Grace
You and I have been redeemed—not by effort, not by works, but by grace.....
April 18, 2025
You and I have been redeemed—not by effort, not by works, but by grace. Let us read Ephesians 1:7 together:
Ephesians 1:7 – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
What Is Redemption?
To fully understand the power of this verse, we must grasp the meaning of redemption. Redemption means to buy back, to deliver by paying a price. It paints a picture of a person in slavery being purchased and set free, and not only freed—but restored to their original identity.
In ancient times, many people became slaves due to debt. That’s why Proverbs 22:7 says,
Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”
Taking on debt was seen as a form of bondage.
There are three key aspects to biblical redemption:
- A price is paid
- Freedom is purchased
- Identity is restored
We were once in spiritual slavery. But the Bible tells us that in Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.
The price paid for our redemption was the very blood of Jesus. Through His sacrifice, our identity has been restored—from slaves to sons and daughters of God.
This redemption is not based on your efforts or even your prayers. It is entirely based on the blood of Jesus. That means no matter what happened last night, today you are still a child of God—not because of what you did, but because of what He did.
Redemption Foreshadowed: The Exodus
To understand this picture of redemption more fully, we must look to the Old Testament—the story of Moses and the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.
The people of Israel were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. God raised Moses to lead them out of bondage. Egypt represents the world system—a life driven by performance, fear, and oppression. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is a picture of Satan, the harsh taskmaster.
When Moses approached Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go,” Pharaoh refused. In response, God sent ten supernatural plagues upon the land of Egypt. Yet throughout this time, the Israelites, who lived in a region called Goshen, were protected.
Let’s walk through these ten plagues:
- Water turned to blood – The Nile, Egypt’s economic lifeline, turned to blood, killing all its fish and causing widespread panic.
- Frogs – Frogs flooded the palaces and homes, bringing chaos.
- Lice – A seemingly minor pest, but in great numbers, caused great irritation.
- Flies – They corrupted the food supply and infested storehouses.
- Livestock died – The cattle, bulls, and goats perished, striking a financial blow.
- Boils – Painful boils broke out on the people, causing physical suffering.
- Hail and fire – Massive hailstones mixed with fire destroyed crops, animals, and people outdoors.
- Locusts – These devoured whatever the hail had left behind. In Scripture, locusts symbolize delay, because they eat the harvest just when it’s ripe.
- Darkness – A thick, supernatural darkness spread over Egypt. Candles could not light. It was a psychological torment of fear and isolation.
Despite all this, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. After each plague, he would relent momentarily but then change his mind. These plagues were not a sign of a cruel God—they were God’s repeated attempts to get Pharaoh to humble himself and release His people. God gave him chance after chance.
The Final Plague and the Power of the Lamb
The tenth and most devastating plague was the death of every firstborn in Egypt. This broke Pharaoh. The angel of death swept through the land, entering every Egyptian home, taking the firstborn.
But once again, Israel was protected—this time by blood.
God instructed His people to take a male lamb without blemish, kill it, and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes. The blood was to be placed in the form of a cross. Then, they were to stay inside and roast the lamb—consuming all of it. Nothing was to be left behind.
Exodus 12:13 – “The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”
This act became known as the Passover—the moment when the angel of death passed over every house marked by the blood. The lamb died in place of the firstborn. This moment of substitution was the heart of redemption.
Jesus: The True Passover Lamb
Just as the Israelites were saved by the blood of the lamb, we too are saved by the blood of Jesus. He is our final Passover Lamb. When Jesus died, it was during the Passover feast—God’s way of showing us that He is the ultimate sacrifice.
John 1:29 – “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!.”
1 Corinthians 5:7 – “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
Jesus fulfilled every detail of the lamb:
The lamb had to be perfect—Jesus was sinless.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He who knew no sin became sin for us.”
- The lamb had to be examined for four days to confirm it had no blemish—Jesus was interrogated by the Pharisees, Pilate, and Herod.
- No bones were to be broken in the sacrifice—Jesus died without a single bone broken.
- The blood was applied to wood—just as Jesus’ blood was shed on the wooden cross.
- The lamb had to be fully consumed—as we partake of communion, we spiritually partake of all Christ has done.
Yet Jesus did more than the Passover lamb. He didn’t just cover sin—He removed it.
From Covering to Cleansing
In the Old Testament, sacrifices provided a temporary covering. Sin still remained.
Hebrews 10:3–4 -“But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
But with Jesus, a divine exchange took place. He didn’t just cover your sin—He took it away. He removed it and replaced it with His righteousness. Whereas the Old Testament sacrifices required continual repetition, Jesus offered a once-and-for-all sacrifice. The blood of bulls and goats brought reminders of sin. The blood of Jesus brings removal of sin. Don’t manage sin when you’ve been called to be free from it. You were never meant to cope with anxiety—you were meant to escape it through Jesus. What He sets you free from, do not try to manage. You are free.
Redemption Without Conditions
When the Israelites remained in their homes that Passover night, the angel of death passed over not because of their goodness, but because of the blood. Their protection had nothing to do with wealth, status, or health. The only eligibility was the blood.
Whether rich or poor, tall or short, healthy or unwell—those under the blood were safe.
One Night Changed Everything
The morning after the Passover, Pharaoh was broken. He told Moses and the Israelites to leave immediately.
In one night, everything changed. The Israelites went to sleep as slaves and woke up free.
And not only were they freed—they were enriched. God told them to ask the Egyptians for their due wages, and the Egyptians gave generously. The Bible says the Israelites plundered Egypt. They left not just free, but wealthy.
Psalm 105:37 – “Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.”
That night, when the Israelites ate the Passover lamb, something powerful happened. Those who were sick became whole. The weak became strong. Their identity was restored. Their health was restored. Their wealth was restored. In Christ, we experience the same redemption. You are no longer under a curse. You are blessed. There is no generational curse that can hold power over you because the blessing in Christ is far greater than the curse.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Redemption isn’t just about freedom. It’s about restoration—restoring you to your true identity.
You’re Not a Better Person—You’re a New Creation
God didn’t send Jesus to make you a better person. He sent Jesus to make you a new person. We don’t need repairs—we need renewal. When something malfunctions, we often want to replace it instead of repair it. Similarly, God didn’t repair your old self; He made you new.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” The Greek word here means a species that has never existed before. That’s who you are—something brand new, recreated by God Himself. You’re not just freed from sin—you’ve been restored to your identity as a child of God. You are now part of a blessed people.
Healing Is Part of Redemption
Isaiah 53:5 – “By His stripes, we are healed.”
Jesus didn’t just die to forgive your sins. With forgiveness comes healing—emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual healing. Don’t accept a theology that limits Jesus’ work to just one area of your life. Yes, healing begins spiritually, but it touches every aspect of your life. It brings peace to your mind, strength to your body, and restoration to your soul. So what if you’ve been battling sickness for a long time?
What if you haven’t yet seen healing?
I would rather believe the Word of God than believe my experience. I’d rather trust His promise than accept that sickness comes from Him.
Faith Over Experience
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were threatened with death, they said, “We would rather die than worship your idol.” That’s the kind of determination we need. Don’t manage sin, sickness, poverty, or oppression. You are freed from it. So fight to stay free.
Say it aloud:
“I would rather die than accept that sin, sickness, oppression, or poverty is from God.”
We don’t deny reality, but we don’t let our experiences define truth either. I once had a knee injury that took two years to heal. During that time, I kept seeing myself healed in prayer—playing football again. Eventually, I could run again. I didn’t ignore the problem. I trusted the Word more than the pain. Just because something hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean God’s Word is invalid. Gravity is real even if someone survives a fall. Experience doesn’t cancel out spiritual truth. God’s Word is more stable than your feelings, logic, or sight.
“We walk by faith, not by sight.”
Faith isn’t blind. It’s not ignoring circumstances. Faith is staring reality in the face and still choosing to believe the Word.
Worship + Word = Breakthrough
Worship is powerful, but it must be anchored in the Word. Worship reveals God’s greatness, but it’s the Word that reveals His voice.
Moses didn’t just see the burning bush; he heard a voice from the bush. Don’t chase the emotional high of worship and neglect the substance of the Word. There’s a protocol in the Kingdom: God works through His Word.
Smoke machines, lights, and great music won’t transform your life. But one Word from God can change everything. Because the Word is not just something God speaks—He is the Word.
You Are a Blessed Person
“You were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.”
That redemption restored your identity, your acceptance, and your calling. You are chosen. You are righteous. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
And yes, you are blessed.
2 Corinthians 8:9 says,
2 Corinthians 8:9 – “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”
But don’t reduce this to money. The blessing of God is far greater than any financial wealth. What money can’t buy, God’s blessing will supply.
If God wants you in America, He doesn’t need dollars—He needs your obedience and faith. Don’t limit God’s purposes based on money.
Dream Bigger Than Money
A pastor once asked me how to believe in God for a new camera. I said, “What model are you praying for?” He didn’t know. His focus was on money first. But what if God gives the camera directly without you needing the money? That’s how faith works. The blessing is not tied to currency. It’s tied to God’s abundance.
Live From Obedience, Not Just Logic
When I started in ministry, I had nothing in the bank. I would ask myself, “Do I have clothes? Do I have food for today?” Then I’d rejoice—and trust that tomorrow would take care of itself.
I remember a couple needing ₹10 lakhs for ministry rent. I asked them, “What if the landlord agrees—what would you do next?” They didn’t know. So I encouraged them to act in faith. They wrote to one person—who didn’t respond. But someone else entirely sent the exact amount they needed. Faith unlocks provision, not because you manipulate God, but because God honors obedience. Another friend was told by God to stop in Singapore on the way to Cambodia. It cost him ₹50,000 more. But in Singapore, someone gave him ₹5 lakhs. Sometimes, you think you can’t afford to obey. But in reality, you can’t afford not to obey.
Trust God, Not the System
When I got into ministry, I told God, “I want my quality of life to increase, not decrease.” I had unbelieving friends offering to pay for my meals. God can use ravens. Don’t limit Him.
Don’t let money choke your dreams. Don’t let it limit the call of God on your life. Trust the Word. Live from obedience. Step into the blessing already purchased for you in Christ.
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