For this reason: The Power of Redemption and Forgiveness- Stepping Out of the Grave

Colosians 1:9-14

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Last week we emphasized the transformative power of encountering God and how it should reflect in our lives. The core message was that as followers of Jesus, we should live differently, talk differently, and handle various aspects of life differently. 2 Corinthians 5:7, says “when we are in Christ, we become a new creation, leaving behind our old selves”.

In Colossians 1:12-14, Paul highlights the redemption and forgiveness of sin that we have in Jesus. This week we are going to delve deeper into the significance of the empty tomb and how it relates to our lives today.

The Empty Tomb

The resurrection story in John 20:1-8 sets the stage for understanding the power of the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene discovers that the stone has been rolled away from the entrance of the tomb, and she immediately informs Peter and the other disciples. Peter and John rush to the tomb, with John playfully noting that he outran Peter. Upon entering the tomb, they find the burial cloths of Jesus, but He is not there. This moment signifies the victory over death and the redemption and forgiveness of sin that Jesus accomplished through His resurrection!

Leaving the Grave Clothes Behind

The story of Lazarus in John 11:38-44 provides further insight into the concept of leaving the grave clothes behind. When Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, he emerges alive but still wrapped in the burial cloths. Jesus instructs those present to "take off the grave clothes and let him go." This powerful imagery illustrates that although we may be alive in Christ, we can still carry the remnants of our past sins and brokenness. Just as Lazarus needed to be freed from the grave clothes, we too must shed the things that bind us and hinder our spiritual growth.

We can become so accustomed to the stench of death that we no longer notice it. We may be alive in Christ, but if we continue to wear the grave clothes of sin, we will carry the stench of death with us. The author emphasizes the need to recognize the areas in our lives where we are still bound by sin, whether it be unforgiveness, bitterness, addiction, or other destructive patterns. By acknowledging these areas, we can take the necessary steps to remove the grave clothes and experience true freedom in Christ.

Stepping Out of the Grave

To respond to Jesus' invitation to come out of the grave, it takes a conscious decision to leave behind the old ways and embrace the new life that Jesus offers. This involves surrendering our sins, addictions, and negative patterns to Him and allowing His forgiveness and redemption to wash over us. Jesus did not come to make bad people good but to make dead people come alive. Every day is an opportunity to celebrate the resurrection and walk in the newness of life.

The power of redemption and forgiveness is exemplified through the empty tomb. Jesus conquered death so that we could be set free from the sins that entangle us. Step out of the grave, leave behind the grave clothes of sin, and embrace the new life that Jesus offers. Maybe today you need to recognize areas of bondage and seek freedom through the grace and forgiveness of Christ. By doing so, we can experience the transformative power of the resurrection in our daily lives.