Christians profess, "We have been 'saved by grace'". But what does that mean? Before Paul expresses that wonderful dynamic of "salvation by grace alone" (Eph 2:8), he speaks of salvation as a "redemption" (Eph 1:7). In other words, we have been restored from a situation that needed redeeming - and, says Paul, that redemption has had cosmic implications.
Dig Deeper Questions
Read: Ephesians 1:7-10 - Brokenness Restored
- Both are biblical truths, but what is the difference between “being saved” and “being redeemed” and what does each phrase emphasise?
- In biblical times, “redemption” always carried a cost, what was the “cost” of our redemption according to verse 7 and why was this paid?
- What do the descriptions of God’s grace in verses 7 and 8 tell us about how willing God was to redeem (v.7) and adopt (v.5) us?
- How does the fact that God has revealed “the mystery of his will” (v.9) change the way we approach the study of God’s word?
- Read Romans 8:22-23. What does this suggest about creation’s anticipation of God’s salvation of humanity?
- How does God’s plan to “unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (v.10) influence your understanding of God’s purpose for creation at the coming of Christ?
Close in prayer.
