How much does God want us to be holy so that we can live? So much that He is willing to pay the highest price possible: “He gave his only Son” (John 3:16). Paul writes to Timothy at Ephesus,
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time (1 Timothy 2:3-6).
When a person is kidnapped, a ransom is the money paid for his safe release. Jesus is our “ransom.”20 He is heaven’s dearest Treasure, which God pays in an exchange that releases us to live righteously.
…that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation…. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:19,21). M
How terrible the price, especially in view of God’s hatred of sin! How great, then, His love for each person! “The world” certainly includes you and me.21 He reconciles us! That means He restores us to His favor and friendship.22 Our sins are not counted against us. Why? Because, when Christ hung on the cross, God counted every sin against Him.23 Jesus paid the debt we owe to death. His immeasurable suffering was the full “redemption” price, which buys us back for God.24 He satisfied every legal demand against us, and so forgives us fully (Revelation 1:5). As Judge, He justly declares:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)
Christ is the righteousness of God. Therefore in Christ we become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight… (Ephesians 1:7-8). M
20. Proverbs 13:8; Isaiah 50:2; Hosea 13:14; Matthew 20:28; Hebrews 9:15
21. See Study Note: Fatalism and Determinism
22. Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20-22; Romans 5:10-11
23. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:4-12; 1 Peter 2:24
24. 1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9:1; Titus 2:14; 1 Corinthians 6:20
Picture: Roman silver coins that predate Christ’s birth are rare treasures today. Yet “perishable things such as silver or gold” fail to compare with “the ransom” paid for all men (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:6).