Note 33 at Col 1:14: The Greek word that was translated "redemption" here is "APOLYTROSIS," and it means "a buying back, a setting free by paying a ransom price" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament Edition). APOLYTROSIS was used in the following scriptures: Lu 21:28; Ro 3:24, 8:23; 1Co 1:30; Eph 1:7, 14, 4:30; this verse; Heb 9:15, and 11:35. God created us for Himself, but we sold ourselves into slavery to the devil. The Lord bought us back through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The Lord illustrated this in the Old Testament through the prophet Hosea (Ho 1:2-3 and 3:2).

Note 34 at Col 1:14: It is through Christ's blood that redemption has been provided. No amount of effort, human works, or mankind's own righteousness could bring the divine favor that we needed. Therefore, Christ's blood was a gift of divine provision in payment for our sin.

In the Old Testament, we see that sin was so serious, it demanded punishment by death. Eze 18:20 states, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." The shedding of blood in the O.T. sacrifices symbolized this death penalty. The blood of Jesus was not symbolic but the actual life of God (Le 17:11) that purchased our redemption.

The Scriptures mention a number of things that the blood of Jesus accomplished for us: it purchased the church of God (Ac 20:28), it instituted the New Covenant (1Co 11:25), it brought us close to God (Eph 2:13), and it provided peace (Col 1:20). The blood of Jesus purges our consciences (Heb 9:14), gives us boldness to enter into the holy place (Heb 10:19), and cleanses us of all sin (1Jo 1:7 and Re 1:5). It enables us to overcome the devil (Re 12:11) and provides propitiation (Ro 3:25), justification (Ro 5:9), remission (Heb 9:22), sanctification (Heb 13:12), and eternal redemption (Eph 1:7, this verse, and Heb 9:12).

Note 35 at Col 1:14: The forgiveness of sins is one of the great themes of the Bible. There is so much that Scripture says about it that it would take volumes of books to adequately deal with the subject. Suffice it to say that the blood of Jesus is what provided us with the forgiveness of sins. That sacrifice was so great that it outweighed all our sins. It covered all the sins of the world--past, present, and future (see note 11 at Ro 4:8).

The forgiveness of our sins is not the ultimate goal of our salvation; it is just a necessary step. The real goal of salvation is relationship with the Father (see note 94 at Joh 17:3), and sin is a barrier to that relationship. Sin had to be dealt with, and it was, through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. But those who stop with the forgiveness of sins and don't go on into eternal life are missing the heart of salvation. Our sins have been forgiven so that we may enter into intimacy with the Lord.