Monday, 11th December 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: YOUR RANSOM HAS BEEN GIVEN
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - 1 Timothy 2:6
PREPARATORY QUESTION:
- What is a ransom?
- What does it mean for Jesus to give Himself a ransom for all?
There are countries in the world where kidnapping is a common thing. In most, if not all kidnapping cases, the person who is kidnapped relates to an important person. Never have I come across the kidnapping of a madman. A ransom is immediately demanded once the kidnapping is successful. Where the ransom is to be delivered and the time is communicated to the relatives of ‘the kidnapped’. Precious One, before the ransom is delivered, ‘the kidnapped’ is as good as dead. However, immediately after the ransom is given out, there is a release.
Thus, the ransom is the redemptive price or the ‘buy back’ price for the life of ‘the kidnapped’.
In like manner, mankind became a captive to the devil when we disobeyed God. We lost our identity, destiny and the superior life God wanted for us when the kingdom of darkness reigned over us. All that while, God knew we were His own and the life He had given to us was not that of slaves. Therefore God, in whose image man was created, gave out the ransom (John 3:16) needed for our release in due time. A life for a life, so God gave Jesus out as the payment for our redemptive price. Isn’t this remarkable?
Precious One, what does it mean for Jesus to be our redemptive price?
The theme scripture says, "Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all…”. Thus, Jesus has, without consulting mankind, offered Himself as the payment for the freedom of all. But the question is – do you accept Him (Jesus) as your redemptive payment for your total freedom?
This is why every person has the responsibility to ‘accept Jesus’ and refusing Him is equally refusing His sacrificial payment for you. In this case, you will have to find a way to pay it all (your sins and servitude) by yourself or face the penalty of sin.
Secondly, it means that all your sins that made it possible for the kingdom of darkness to rule over you are paid for, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and your ransom. This is why you shouldn’t go back to sin, knowing the implication of how death reigns through sin (the law of sin and death) Rom 8:2. However, if any believer of Christ sins, he should not continue the sin, neither should he remain under the guilt of it. This is because he has an Advocate (a lawyer) who is at the same time the propitiation for all our sins. In every sin, three parties are involved – the God whose laws were broken, the brother or sister who was hurt and the one who broke God’s law.
All we need to do, when we miss the mark, is to confess our faults, one to another (James 5:16) and affirm our justification by the finished works of Christ (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Thirdly, it means that in times of trouble, the name of the one who has given Himself as a ransom for your freedom can make a way for you. If trouble arises, call the name ‘Jesus’ and you will have invoked Him as your ransom to intervene on your behalf. Glory to Jesus.
Precious one, you are so precious because the ransom that was paid for you is too valuable to be priced. This is why God is not done with you yet. From today going forward, know that you are free. Think free, walk free and know that you the beloved of the Most High.
God bless you more.
FURTHER READING – Isaiah 53:3-10
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Do you struggle with sin and the guilt of sin in your life?
- How do you intend to apply the ransom that has been paid for you if you miss the mark?
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, thank you for paying out the redemptive price for my freedom and liberty in the person of Jesus Christ. I affirm today that Jesus has borne all my grief and carried my sorrows. I confess that Jesus has been wounded for all my transgressions and bruised for all my iniquities. Hence, I am the justified of God. Glory to God!
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Job 13; Nahum 3; 1 Peter 1
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