A Case of Apposition: Redemption - Forgiveness

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.

Ephesians 1:

I didn't really learn English grammar until I was in tenth grade. My English teacher, Mr. Bottaro, was a stickler for correct grammar. But, more importantly, he was able to teach it in a way that made sense. Finally, grammar wasn't something akin to torture. It was a means of communication, a tool for clear prose and even clever poetry.

It was from Mr. Bottaro that I learned the notion of apposition. Apposition happens when two words or phrases stand next to each other. Both refer to the same thing. The second gives more information, looking from a different perspective. So, for example, one might say, "I trust the Bible, God's Word." "Bible" and "God's Word" are in apposition, with "God's Word" telling us more about the Bible and why it is trustworthy.

In Ephesians 1:7, two phrases stand in apposition to each other: "redemption through his blood" and "the forgiveness of sins." They both refer to that which we have in Christ by virtue of his death. Redemption is our being set free from slavery to sin and death. Forgiveness is God's pardon. The Greek word forgiveness is based on a verb meaning "to send away." Forgiveness is not God saying, "Oh, that's okay." Nor is it God saying, "It's no big deal." In fact, the cost of our forgiveness was a great one to God, the death of Christ on the cross.

In a sense, forgiveness is the flip side of redemption. When God redeems us, he releases us from bondage to sin and death. When God forgives us, he sends away the penalty that stands against us, releasing us from its grip on us. The good news of Ephesians 1:7 is that God both redeems and forgives us through the death of Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: What difference does it make in your life that God has forgiven you? What helps you to understand and experience God's forgiveness?

PRAYER:

For today's closing prayer, I want to use, once again, the words from the hymn, "There's Power in the Blood."

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide;
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Sin stains are lost in its life giving flow.
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood;
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb. Amen.

"There's Power in the Blood," by Lewis E. Jones, 1899. Public Domain.

Images sourced via Creative Commons.