Our devotion comes from;
Ephesians 1:7
"In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor."
Brethren in Christ, a story is told about slave trade in West Africa. Many years ago their ancestors were being captured by slave traders and chained together and were driven to the seacoast to be transported overseas. Each of the slaves was forced to wear a heavy iron collar around his neck. As the slaves passed through villages, a chief can notice a friend or relative among the captives and wishes to save them. He had to pay by offering the slave traders gold, ivory, silver or brass. The prisoner would be redeemed by the payment made by a chief. The head of the prisoner would be taken out of the heavy iron collar and be set free.
The above story best describes the word redemption in today's scripture. In Christ Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His glory. Jesus Christ offered to die on the cross to purchase our freedom from the bondage of sin. Christ was lifted up on the cross at Calvary that we can be lifted out of the bondage of our sins. He redeemed us by His precious blood and we are redeemed through His infinite mercy. May God help us to put our trust in Jesus as our Redeemer and let Him take our heads out of the heavy enslaving collar of sin and set us free amen! (Rev C. Pamaso)