Ephesians 1:7-8

Ephesians 1:7-8 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom & understanding.

• In Him... only through a relationship with Christ. A relationship. Not a superficial knowledge of. It's about STAYING in Him. Living with Him.
• Through His blood... not by anything we have or ever will do. This is huge to me. I had a conversation with a good friend of mine just a few weeks ago who is a dear sweet person, but who wholeheartedly believes that she is "good on the whole eternity thing" because she has made good moral choices, she donates old clothes to charity, and she takes care of family members, etc. As I listened to her talk, my heart broke. It has NOTHING to do with what WE have done. It has EVERYTHING to do with HIM. It's all about Him. There is nothing else.
• redemption... awesome! We've been redeemed. Webster defines that as:

1: a : to buy back : repurchase b : to get or win back
2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a : to free from captivity by payment of
ransom b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c : to
release from blame or debt : clear d : to free from the consequences of sin
3: to change for the better : reform
4: repair, restore
5a : to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1) : to remove the
obligation of by payment (2) : to exchange for something of value c : to make good : fulfill
6a : to atone for : expiate b (1) : to offset the bad effect of (2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve

• riches of God's grace... all of this because He has an abundance of grace and mercy that He pours out for us. He lavishes us with it. We ought to take time to bask in it!