The apostle Paul is careful to note that this redemption does not result in a new-found freedom to do whatever one pleases. Rather, he states that we have been redeemed for a new life of service to God. That is, we have not been freed to sin. Rather, we have been freed from the slavery of sin in order to live a new life.
The above passage to Titus begins with a call to holy living: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). Elsewhere, Paul writes to the Corinthians, calling them to turn from their immorality for, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
God’s salvation is wonderful and amazing. To expand our understanding of the depth and breadth of our salvation, the Scriptures cause us to look at it from different sides using different images. The beauty of the redemption language is that it moves us from thinking of sin as merely the forgiveness of sins. It is that! But, it is also a real freedom. We are freed from the enslaving power of sin. We are like slaves purchased from a cruel master into a new life of freedom. The Bible uses imagery from a brutal reality to help us understand a beautiful truth.
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