The word ransom comains the thought of someone being held captive and this is the price for their freedom. This is exactly the idea that we find in Matthew 20:28, where Jesus said, "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.' Jesus came to give His Hfe for the price of redeeming ail who would be obedient to God's will, from the wages that sin had earned. These wages are revealed in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord. ' All of mankind had earned eternal death because of their sins (Romans 3:23), and although they were, and are, being held captive, they do not have to remain captive to sin and eternal death! Jesus paid the ransom price which was paid on the cross by His giving of His perfect life in our place. Thus, those would are held in the captivity of sin can be free because the ransom price has been paid. This ransom is only effective if you will accept the freedom that obedience to God brings, as Jesus said in John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ' A few verses later Jesus said about this freedom, "If the Son therefore shall make you l~ee, ye shall be fiee indeed." Have you accepted the ransom that Jesus paid for you? Or are you still in the captivity of sin and eternal death? Obedience to God's will makes all the difference!