Held For Ransom

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace"

Ephesians 1:7 

We all seen the movies where a child is kidnapped, held for ransom, and the parents tell the negotiator that they will pay "Whatever it takes" to have their child returned safely. Let's face it, it's a pretty intense aspect of the storyline which usually leads to the kidnapper being chased until they are eventually captured and brought to justice.  Makes for intense and exciting drama.  While such story plots make for interesting films and books, the truth of the matter is that we have also been held for ransom and it was a ransom that only could only be paid by God. 

Think about it, how many times have we doubted our worth because of our past?  How many times have we had great intentions but because of being reminded of our own sinfulness we gave up?  How many times have we looked at our past and believed that we had no future that would be worth anything?

You know that I love words.  I love to figure out why a particular word was used by an author.  And today's passage is no exception.  It's interesting that the Apostle Paul chose to use the word "apolytrosis" which has been translated "redemption."  "Apolytrosis" literally means "a releasing effected by payment of ransom; liberation procured by the payment of a ransom."  Christians like to say that we were "bought with a price" which, to me, could mean that we were on sale at the store and we were purchased much like a soda or a butter.

We were held captive and a ransom was demanded.  God, being the loving Dad that He is, held nothing back and would pay ANY price for us.  That price was the very blood of His ONLY Son!  That ransom was paid so we would be freed from the captivity of our sin, and we would be united with God for all eternity! We have been set free by the ransom God paid for us through Jesus Christ!  Therefore, our past can no longer hold us hostage!  Our sinful nature no longer keeps us captive!  

Because of the ransom paid, we are FREE! Think about that!

What Do You Mean I'm A 'Captive'?

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

~Jeremiah 29:11-14 

 

We like to quote verse 11 of today's passage where God tells us that He has incredible plans for us that will be good for us and bring us hope.  But we don't usually bother to read beyond that because, after all, we cling to the promise and are content to wait for God to rain down His blessings on us.  But read the rest of the passage!

 

God does have plans for us that will be good for us and will bring hope for us, but He also ways WHEN YOU PRAY, I will listen.  When was the last time you and God had a heart to heart chat?  Did you do all the talking?  THEN God says, "IF you look for me WHOLEHEARTEDLY, you will find me."  Before you ask, NO God is not hiding from us.  Let me put it this way, if I am wearing my sunglasses I cannot read my radio display even though I am looking directly at it and it is less than a foot away.  Why, because my sunglasses filter out the color of my display.  The same applies to us when we "look" for God and can't find him...we casually look expecting to see the bright light and mighty powerful warrior ready to smite those who have hurt our feelings.  But we don't see that God has sent someone to help us who is rather ordinary, because we are not looking for ordinary, we are looking for nuclear fireworks!

 

God promises that if we seek Him will all our attention and desire, we will find Him AND He will end our captivity.  WHAT? Captivity here in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave?  Yup! We are captive to our STUFF!  We are captive to our CAREERS!  We are captive to our BANK ACCOUNTS!  We are captive to our SPORTS!  We are captives because we find so many things (which will eventually end) to hold our attention rather than God!  How many people do you know who can quote the latest stock trends but can't remember a single verse of Scripture?  How many people do you know who will faithfully attend every single football game and have had season tickets for generations, but "don't have time" to talk with God about their marriage falling apart or their children who have gone wild for lack of parenting?  WE ARE CAPTIVES!!  We are held captive by our own desires!!!

 

A gilded cage is still a prison!