Ephesians 1:7 AMP
[7] In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace.
True life does not start until the issue of sin has been dealt with. The best of natural man is a sinner in need of help, and until sin is dealt with permanently, there cannot be the hope of taking hold of eternal life. That is why a huge price was paid for sin, and why there can not be an alternative to redemption by the blood of Jesus. Sin has made it clear that all of us have been brought to the same level, where we need the help of God to attain His standard of holiness. Until we come to Him, we cannot take advantage of the resources He has made available by His death and resurrection. Being just morally upright is not sufficient; if man could attain righteousness by the things he did, we would not need Jesus at all.
The verse above makes it clear that it is IN Him that we have redemption. Do not be satisfied with just being around church, being busy with activities that have the cover of spirituality, or being applauded by men for good acts. As nice as they all are, and they have a part to play at different stages of our lives, but they do not come before the need to have my sins forgiven. It is the redemptive work of Jesus that makes the other parts of my life acceptable to God. It is a redeemed life that can offer acceptable service to God. Men can applaud the presentation, but God must first accept the vessel before that which is offered can then be accepted. Redemption is deliverance and salvation from the effect and power of sin, and the endowment of power to live above sin.
No one and nothing else can give you these, outside of the One who conquered sin. Grace designed the project of redemption, making it a personal project with God directly involved. It is God's mercy that made it possible for mortal man to approach an immortal God to receive the benefits that have now been made available and accessible by faith in the finished work of grace. The work is complete; man can add nothing to or take anything away from it. He is rich in grace, and there is no stain of sin that His blood cannot wash clean. All He asks me to do is come to Him, as I am, and He will do what He has promised. He is rich in grace, but I must also note that the grace is timed. It is available as long as I am on this side of eternity. Before grace is withdrawn, surrender to Jesus. He is able to keep safe all that has been committed into His hand. God's time of favour is here.
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