Redemption Through The Scriptures: Gaining a clearer picture of Christ and His saving work

The Purchase Payment

Paul J. Bucknell

The Purchase Payment (Colossians 1:13-14)

Paul introduces two spiritual transactions in Colossians 1:13-14, the first of which happened back in the Garden of Eden. “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

“For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

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Delivered from the darkness

The words “for He delivered us from the domain of darkness” describe the state to which we fell as a result of Adam’s sin. The original word used for ‘domain’ actually means ‘authority’ or ‘power’. The darkness ruled over us. As a human race we have fallen under the power of the evil one.

Part of this book, Redemption Through the Scriptures, is on the web (see below), but the completed book with all the other teaching materials including: the full study guide and available videos, audios, and powerpoints are included in the Discipleship 3rd level library along with other third level BFF publications. These resources enable you to not only grow in Christ, be like Christ but also to have Christ's plan lived out through your life! Or check out the book!

Transferred to the kingdom

In the same verse Paul clarifies the reversal transaction, He (God) “transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Notice there is a departure from the darkness and an arrival into the kingdom of His Son. Jesus Christ successfully usurped the evil one’s authority and was given authority over the sons of man. God’s kingdom is comprised of these sons, specifically those that are allegiant to the Lord.

God restores us to Himself as we join His Son’s kingdom–but not without a steep cost paid by Christ. David was king, but not a king that withstood temptation. Only Jesus could provide the way to restoration with God and a path to break from under Satan’s rule.

Method of restoration

Lastly, Colossians 1:14 tells us the method through which we find restoration: “...beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin.” We become part of God’s restored kingdom through His Son. We need to be redeemed. Redemption has everything to do with finding forgiveness. We were bought back by God through Jesus Christ, a deal was made by God for us. Jesus died but we were set free.

“Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Jesus promised His disciples that the faith they had in Him (notice “who had believed Him”) would be the key to their success. “If you abide in My word” is in direct contest to listening to the words of the evil one. Jesus leads His people to the truth, and the truth leads us back to obedience. In obeying, the slave finds freedom. It is not a freedom to do whatever we want but a freedom to be and do all that God designed us for. The original design is being restored by the Master’s work.

Conclusion

In summary, we see that it is redemption, God’s purchase of us by Christ’s death on the cross, that becomes the turning point for our lives. Two things happened: We were liberated from Satan’s ownership, our allegiance has been transferred to God, and as a result, our relationship with the Maker has been restored. This transaction happened because God offered His Son as a substitute for us on the cross. His life for ours. Only through Jesus can we truly find forgiveness for our sin. It was our sin that blocked us from regaining our original position.

Now, however, in Christ we find the freedom to belong to and serve God. As we serve God, we will find ourselves happily serving others and carrying out God’s commands of love. Just as God redeemed us from Satan, we are called to share the redemption of Christ to the people around us; we are to live lives that mirror the love that Christ exhibited by His sacrifice on the cross.

“I'd much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow creatures, and with itself." (C.S. Lewis)

=> Next: View the study questions or watch the video, listen to the audio of the teaching session, or start on chapter 2: The Purpose of Redemption.

Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted: (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988

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