Today I would like to address the topic of how we receive Christ’s redemption. The Bible teaches us that we are dead in trespasses and sins against God (Ephesians 2:1). This means that we are cut off from the blessings and benefits of Christ’s redemption. It does not mean that we are dead in the sense that we cannot respond to the Gospel like a physically dead person. It means we are dead to the benefits of the Gospel because of personal sin. Philippians 3:9 teaches us that we obtain the righteousness of Christ by faith in Him.

Mankind cannot do anything to achieve, earn or add to his own salvation; as we have no righteousness of our own doing. The only thing mankind contributes to salvation is the sin that makes it necessary. In the Gospel, God does something for us that we can never do for ourselves. God brings salvation to the sinner by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christ’s death on the cross was for all who turn to Him in faith and repentance. The redemption is applied to us by God. If we do not turn to God in faith and repentance we will die in our sins and thus receive the just penalty of sin; eternal damnation in a place that the Bible calls Hell. Our redemption was purchased by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:12) and is applied by the work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6). Let us learn to adopt a daily attitude of depending on the Holy Spirit. Let us be thankful for our salvation. May the grace of God be our encouragement and strength day by day.