Christ Is Our Ransom

Christ Is Our Ransom

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

The phrases “Son of God,” “loved me,” and “gave himself for me” are lightning and thunder from heaven against the idea that we are saved by good works. Our will and understanding contained such great wickedness, error, darkness, and ignorance that we could be freed only by an exceedingly high-priced ransom. Why do we think that our human reason is naturally inclined to the best and can correctly lead us? Why do we think each person should do as much as they can? Why do we bring our terrible sins, which are mere straw, to an angry God, whom Moses calls “a raging fire”? Why do we want to haggle with God, trying to exchange our stubble for grace and eternal life? Listen to this passage. It says there’s so much evil in our nature that the world and all creation can’t reconcile us to God. God’s Son had to be offered for our sins.