July 5

And redemption.—1 Corinthians 1:30.

THIS redemption includes our souls being freed from the curse of the law, our bodies from the dominion of death, and the complete deliverance both of body and soul from the wrath to come. In each case Jesus is the redemption of his people. Hence concerning the soul's deliverance from the curse of the law, it is said, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." (Galatians 3:13.) Hence also we are said to be justified, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24.) Then as it respects the redemption of the body from death, Christ is emphatically styled the "Resurrection and the life." He has engaged also, that all who believe in him, shall have everlasting life, and he will raise them up at the last day. (John 6:40.) The Apostle therefore states, that believers, having the first fruits of the Spirit groan within themselves, waiting for the adoption, that is to say, the redemption of their bodies. Christ by his own resurrection, has become the pledge, and the glorious first fruits, of the resurrection to eternal life, of all who believe in him Then Jesus is our redemption also, both of body and soul from the wrath to come. Hence it is said, "He hath redeemed us to God," that is, both to his favour and image, and also to his presence and eternal glory. It is also stated that "He hath obtained redemption for us, and that the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Christ is our redemption, by cheerfully becoming our substitute and receiving in himself all the due demerit of our sin. Hence it is said that he gave his life, that he gave himself, and also that he redeemed us by the shedding of his blood. In each case the sense is obviously the same, and clearly teaches the important truth of Christ's substitution in our room and stead, that by his incarnation we might be partakers of the Divine nature, — that by his poverty we might be made rich, — that by his bondage, mockery, and sorrows, we might have freedom, dignity and joy, — and that by his death upon the cross, we might have everlasting life.

"Then, then our full redemption be,

Exerting all thy power to save,

And swallow up mortality,

And raise our dust out of the grave;

Author, and sum of heavenly bliss,

Thee let our souls and bodies prove,

Implung'd in that unknown abyss,

That ocean of redeeming love."