Colossians 1:14
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
Here our salvation is referred to as “redemption” in Christ. The word “redemption” refers to the securing of one’s release or freedom by the payment of a price, which is known as “ransom”. Redeeming slaves and prisoners-of-war by paying a ransom was common in the ancient world. So, “redemption” is freedom purchased. It also presupposes the condition of detention from which there is no escape until the ransom is paid.
We are under the wrath of God because of our sins. As Ephesians 2:3 says, “we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” The condemnation of God was upon us, detaining us under His curse.
But Christ came, “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). There on the cross, Christ shed “his blood” and died. He appeased the wrath of God by the shedding of His blood in His death on the cross. Jesus Himself said, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Paul said in Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” The apostle Peter, in describing our redemption, wrote, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
It is important to note that Christ paid the ransom not to Satan, but to God, whose just wrath was against our sins. God was pleased to accept Christ’s blood as the ransom for our sins. The blood of Christ was the sufficient price for our redemption. God’s justice being thus satisfied, we are reconciled to God, thereby releasing us from our obligations to punishment. By reason of what His Son underwent for us, God had pardoned our sins, His justice having been fully satisfied. The forgiveness of our sins was once and for all accomplished by Christ through His suffering, the shedding of His blood and His death on the cross.