Redemption is defined as the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt. The greatest redemption in history took place over 2000 years ago. In the Christian faith, we are preparing to celebrate that redemption in a celebration we call Easter.
There are three words in the Bible that are translated redeem. One means to buy or purchase. The concept is in the purchase of a slave. He is bought to be owned as property. Another word translated as redeemed means to buy something, from something, for another purpose. The third word carries the idea of a purchase that pays off a debt. A price that is necessary to secure the freedom of someone or something.
Christ redeemed us in the sense that we belong to Him. He purchased us from the bondage of sin so that we can have freedom in Him. The last word speaks of paying off a debt for someone else. That is what Jesus did for us. He paid our sin debt. He paid for it with His blood that was poured out on the cross. He not only delivered us from sin, he delivered us from the consequences of that sin. God’s holiness would not allow us into Heaven any other way.
Because of the redemption through His blood, we also receive the hope of Heaven. He has promised us a home in Heaven when we die if we will stay faithful to Him. Another benefit we receive is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the grace to guide us and to help us through trials, He gives us peace in death, but ultimately the most important gift we gain from redemption is forgiveness of our sins. Without forgiveness, the rest would not happen.
Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins
Because of the redemption we received, we are now justified in the eyes of God. He looks at us and sees the blood of His Son covering our sin. He then sees us just- as- if we had never sinned.
Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
God made it possible through the blood of His Son for anyone to be redeemed, but like so many times in history, all will not receive it.
In Genesis chapters 6-8 we have the history of Noah and one of the greatest stories of redemption in the Old Testament. God told Noah to warn the people that judgment was coming. There would be a flood that would destroy the earth, yet God made provision for all who would believe to escape judgment by boarding the Ark. Noah preached for 120 years and the only ones that listened were his three sons, their wives, and Noah’s wife. Noah built the Ark, and God provided the plan for salvation, but they were unwilling to repent and believe. Redemption offered, and redemption refused.
Not much has changed. The world is full of people who have heard the offer from God to repent and believe. They have heard of the redemptive plan made possible by the death of Jesus on the cross, yet they still live as if it never happened. Most live as if they are ok, and are going to Heaven on their own merit.
