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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. 

The audience defines the message and its impact. At the start of this letter, Paul notes those to whom these words are addressed, and these are God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. Irrespective of location, economic realities, spiritual decadence in a place, or however a place may be popular for unrighteousness, the standard of God for those who are His own have never changed, and will not be lowered for anyone. If God says His acceptable standard is holiness, it does not matter how many people in the world are doing the wrong thing. In this case, the majority is only right if it is aligned with God's standard, otherwise, God has no problem with standing alone, because He knows that all men are still coming to Him for judgment. Who are you? What are your pursuits and priorities? Who holds the reins of your heart and defines what you do? 

As the verse above makes clear, victory only comes from the place of linkage with the One who gives redemption. On my own, I was headed for total destruction, but He stepped in with an offer of salvation. He took my place of death, dealt with death and its shameful end, and obtained full redemption for me. It is clear from the word of God that the price of sin is non-negotiable; it just had to be paid. I could not; Jesus did. Now, I am able to walk into the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and enjoy the benefits that come from that finished work. By the same standard of God that life is in the blood, He secured life for all who come to Him. It has to be emphasized that there are no automatic changes; it is a conscious and deliberate decision that must be made by me, if I am to access what has been secured for me, It is not just enough to know about Him, or read about Him. 

I have to be IN Him. That location is key to all other things that follow. The blood has done a great work, and the power behind the blood continues to be at work long after the cross. Centuries later, people are still coming into salvation, and obtaining full pardon from sin and its eternal consequences simply by the blood. There is no need for blood sacrifices anymore; there is no need for annual check in into the Holy of Holies; there is no need for the frequent festivals of atonement. All of these have been taken care of; there is full, complete and absolute pardon from sin, and it is all in accordance with the riches of His grace. No room for self-promotion or pride in any human accomplishments. No room for dependence on wealth, riches, bank account balances, influence or connections; all of them fail and fall flat in the presence of grace and mercy. Have I truly accessed that grace? Have you? God's time of favour is here.