Transformed in Christ: Mystery of God's Will (Ephesians - Part 7)

Beloved readers, let us turn our hearts and minds to the profound truths laid by pastor Sam Merigala in his sermon, "MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL," part thirteen of the TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST series, delivered at Grace Gospel Church on August 17, 2025. This sermon, drawing from the pages of Ephesians 1:7-10, reveals the dual yet integrated wonders of God's redemption and His ultimate cosmic plan in Christ.

The Riches of God's Grace: Redemption and the Forgiveness of Sins (Ephesians 1:7-8)

Pastor Sam commences by illuminating the glorious truth of our redemption, which, as Paul declares in Ephesians 1:7, is "through His blood" and inextricably linked with "the forgiveness of our trespasses". This redemption, brethren, is not merely a transaction; it is a grace-filled release from the very bondage of sin. To be redeemed means to be "bought back or rescued" from this spiritual slavery, a deliverance accomplished at an immeasurable price. It is made possible, fundamentally, by forgiveness, which serves to remove the guilt and penalty of our sin. Without this divine act of forgiveness, our redemption would be tragically incomplete, akin to a prisoner released from chains yet still bearing the indelible mark of a criminal record. Pastor Sam emphasizes with great clarity that this forgiveness is found "only in Christ".

Indeed, some among us may grapple with the lingering burden of guilt, struggling to feel forgiven even after our redemption. Yet, the biblical truth stands as a firm foundation: forgiveness is the bedrock. Our redemption, therefore, is not a mere change of legal status, but a profound and vital "relational restoration with God" Himself.

To underscore this authority, pastor Sam calls to mind the narrative in Mark 2, where our Lord Jesus, seeing the faith of those who lowered the paralytic, first declared, "Son, your sins are forgiven". The self-righteous Pharisees, ever quick to judge, questioned His divine prerogative, asserting, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?". In that pivotal moment, Jesus unveiled a truth more profound than physical healing: His authority as God the Son to forgive sins. This demonstrates that the spiritual healing of forgiveness surpasses even the most astonishing physical restoration.

Consider, then, the response such forgiveness ought to elicit from us! Pastor Sam passionately urges that if Christ has indeed forgiven our sins, our hearts should "pour out... in adoration to Him". He paints a vivid picture with the Luke 7 account of the unnamed woman who, recognizing the vastness of her forgiveness, lavished costly oil upon Jesus in heartfelt adoration. The Pharisees, mired in their self-righteousness, could not fathom such extravagant worship because they had not sought, nor truly realized, how much they needed forgiveness. This serves as a powerful reminder for us: those who fail to grasp the magnitude of their forgiveness will likewise fail to praise Jesus with such fervent love. We, who have been forgiven much, are called to "love Him greatly", echoing the Psalmist's cry, "Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you" (Psalm 130:3-4).

Pastor Sam clarifies that the primary meaning of this redemption is indeed forgiveness. This understanding helps us grasp the metaphor of "redemption through His blood". While the Old Testament imagery of redemption involved the release of a slave or land through a ransom payment (Leviticus 25:25–55), or Israel's deliverance from Egyptian and Babylonian bondage through God's sheer power, pastor Sam explains that Paul was not primarily concerned with the specific details of "why a ransom was exacted, to whom it was paid, of what it consisted". For Paul, the essence was deliverance "at a great price," specifically clarified as "the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace". This emphasizes a rescue from God's just judgment, granting us "free access to our heavenly Father, knowing that we have been redeemed and forgiven".

Pastor Sam's sermon also highlights how redemption, forgiveness, and Christ’s sacrifice are frequently linked in the New Testament, citing passages like Romans 3:24-25, Titus 2:14, and Revelation 1:5. He notes that while Paul often refers to "sin" in the singular as a tyrannical power unleashed by Adam, "forgiveness of sins" is implicitly foundational to Paul's great themes of justification and reconciliation. This truth is central to salvation, as repeatedly cited in the book of Acts (Acts 2:38; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18).

Crucially, pastor Sam stresses that because humanity, apart from Christ, is "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1), "divine forgiveness is essential to the restoration of a relationship with the Father". These profound truths of sin, redemption, and forgiveness are always framed by the overwhelming "grace which God has lavished on us". This decisive rescue from judgment is entirely consistent with the "riches of God’s grace" that He has poured out upon us, making His grace the ultimate cause of our redemption.

And what, then, is the blessed result of this lavish grace and forgiveness? Pastor Sam teaches that God's grace has bestowed upon us not only redemption but also "all the necessary wisdom and insight by which we should live wisely" (Ephesians 1:8, 5:15). This wisdom and insight, while closely related, may be understood as intellectual knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge, respectively.

Next week, Pastor Sam will explore Ephesians 1:9-10, a majestic passage that stands as a climax in Paul's letter. He introduced "the mystery of His will," a divine purpose set forth in Christ "to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth." This is the core of God's saving plan, a "bringing together" that we will explore in greater detail next week. 

Ultimately, Pastor Sam's message beautifully connected the personal reality of our redemption with the magnificent, cosmic scope of God's plan. The mystery isn't exclusive to a select few; it's made known to us, the Christian community, through the preaching of the gospel. It is a message that calls for both deep adoration for our redemption and eager anticipation for the consummation of all things in Him. We look forward to delving deeper into these concepts next week. Amen! 🙏

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