Redemption is one of many beautiful and meaningful words in the holy Scriptures. The word Redemption means to deliver by paying a price. Man is considered a slave because he is “of the flesh, sold under sin.” (Romans 7:14). And is subject to death. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23).
It was therefore necessary for one to pay the price for man’s deliverance from sin. The Lord Jesus Christ was the One who came into the world as man’s Redeemer and paid the full price through His shed blood and death on the Cross.
Redemption was God’s exclusive undertaking and He who would provide His Son to be the Redeemer. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
Redemption is by the Redeemer’s blood alone. “Knowing that you were redeemed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18,19). The shed blood of Jesus Christ redeems the believer from the guilt and penalty of sin.
Redemption means forgiveness of sins. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” (Ephesians 1:7,8).
“One of the results of redemption is the forgiveness of sins. Writes William MacDonald. Forgiveness is not the same as redemption; it is one of its fruits. Christ had to make full satisfaction for our sins before they could be forgiven. This was done at the cross. And now —
And mercy can dispense her store
The measure of our forgiveness is given in the words, according to the riches of His grace. If we can measure the riches of God’s grace, then we can measure how fully He has forgiven us. His grace is infinite! So is His forgiveness!” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 1909).
Redemption means to remove from further sale. We “are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24). The believer is regarded as righteous by God because Jesus bore his sin on the Cross being made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Also, God has made us accepted in Jesus Christ. “To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6). Believers in Christ are the recipients of God’s infinite and marvelous grace.
Redemption is through the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17). The need for a Redeemer pointed to Jesus Christ who alone could reconcile sinful man to the holy God. “For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Redemption is by power of the Spirit. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2). The Holy Spirit delivers the believer in Christ from the old nature, producing righteousness. “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16).
Accept redemption and be blest;
The Christ who died, by God is crowned
And pardons on redemption ground.
—D.W. Whittle
Before salvation came, mankind was hopelessly lost in sin and would be eternally separated from God. This required God to act. ”For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:22,23). Sinful man was hopelessly lost and heading to a “lost eternity.”
Sin caused humanity to ‘miss the mark.’ “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6). Through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, sinners are saved from the guilt and penalty of sin.
After God created man (Adam), and placed him in the perfect environment of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7,8). God gave specific instructions to Adam not to eat of a certain tree. If Adam disobeyed, “he would surely die “spiritually” (Genesis 2:15-17). Adam subsequently disobeyed God. And the result, “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners.” (Romans 5:19).
Because of this situation, God had to provide the way to restore the lost fellowship man had with His Creator. That way was through Jesus Christ who declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
It was never God’s intent or desire that anyone should perish. Peter writing on the Lord’s return says that the Lord “is not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
Have you reached repentance? If not, why not do so now? Here’s what God is saying to you: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). There’s no time like the present. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. By accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as you personal Savior, you will be saved. Here’s how. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9-11). Accept Jesus and be bound for God’s heaven. God bless you.