Our Deliverance
“[3] Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, [4] Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” – Galatians 1:3-4
In Galatians 1:4, we see the profound truth of our deliverance through Jesus Christ. The verse begins by reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus, “Who gave himself for our sins.” This act of unfathomable love, as echoed in Galatians 2:20 and Romans 5:8, underscores that Christ took upon Himself the punishment we deserved, demonstrating His boundless love toward us.
However, while Christ's death was for all humanity, the deliverance it offers to all is only bestowed upon those who trust in His sacrifice alone, without reliance on their own works for salvation (Rom 3:22, 1Ti 2:5-6). This is a key element of our faith: salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned by our deeds.
But why did Christ come to die on our behalf? What was the purpose? Besides offering us His love, Galatians 1:4 further explains the purpose of Christ's sacrifice, “that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” This deliverance is multifaceted: it encompasses our salvation (a positional deliverance from sin’s consequence) and extends to our daily lives, offering us the opportunity to be delivered from sin's influence (a circumstantial deliverance) (Rom 7:6, 2Co 1:10, Col 1:13, 1Th 1:10, 2Ti 4:16-18).
Through His death, Christ not only secured our eternal salvation but also empowers us to live a sanctified life, redeeming us from iniquity and the corruption of this present evil world. This was all done according to the divine will of God the Father, showcasing His immense love and purpose for us (Eph 5:2, 24-27; Titus 2:11-14, Rom 8:28-39).
Our deliverance is a testament to God's grace and love, reminding us that while we are in this world, we are not of it anymore, and through Christ, we are equipped to live victoriously over sin (2Co 10:3-5).
