βIn whom we have redemption through [Christβs] blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his graceβ (Eph. 1:7).
The climax of Paulβs first recorded sermon is reached in Acts 13, where he declares:
βBe it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:Β And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Mosesβ (Acts 13:38,39).
Thus God through Christ, forgives and justifies those who believe. Nor is this all that was accomplished for us by the death of Christ at Calvary. There is also reconciliation, baptism by the Spirit into Christ and His Body, a position at Godβs right hand in the heavenlies and all spiritual blessings there.
βThe forgiveness of sinsβ must come first, however, and the above passage assures us that in Christ we have this β not barely, butΒ βACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACEβ. Indeed, the next verse continues:Β βWHEREIN HE HATH ABOUNDED TOWARD USβ¦β
Thus Ephesians 2:2-7 declares that though we were once βthe children of disobedienceβ, and therefore βby nature the children of wrathβ, βGod,Β WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, for HisΒ GREAT LOVEΒ wherewith He loved usβ, has given us life and raised us from the dead, exalting us to βheavenly places in Christβ¦β
His purpose in all this?Β βTHAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUSβ (Eph. 2:7).
When God forgives us He no longer sees us in our poor selves,Β BUT IN CHRIST, who took our place, dying for our sins on Calvaryβs cross. There He hung in our place that we might now stand in His βΒ βCOMPLETE IN HIMβΒ (Col.Β 2:10). source
