Growing In Godliness Blog
“Redemption”
Categories: Author: Boyd Hurst, Jesus, Redemption, SalvationRedemption
By Boyd Hurst
“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” We often sing of this thing called redemption, but I wonder if we give it serious thought as to its meaning and significance for the Christian. I would like for us to consider the meaning of this term as used in scripture in the hope that it will draw us closer to the Lord, especially as we partake of the memorial feast each first day of the week.
The New Testament uses the idea of redemption in at least 3 ways:
- There is a Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who gave His life as a sacrifice for sin.
- We are able to have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins
- The faithful believers will have eternal redemption in heaven, freed from the presence and power of sin and the corruption of the body at His second coming.
There are two words translated “redeem” in the New Testament. One refers to the price paid for our redemption with a view to the actual redemption. We see this in Gal. 3:13: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us…” Also, in Gal. 4:5 speaking of Christ, He came ”to redeem those who were under the Law.” Of course, that occurred when Jesus, our Redeemer, was crucified. The second word translated “redeem” refers to the actual redemption. An example is Titus 2:14 where speaking of Christ, it says “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people.”
The blessing of redemption in Christ cannot be minimized, and it should be uppermost in our minds. We see this idea strengthened in the following verses:
- Heb. 9:12 teaches that redemption brings deliverance through His death from the guilt and power of sin.
- Eph. 1:7 and Col. 1:14 teaches that it provides forgiveness of sins including both a liberation from the doom of sin and the introduction to a life of liberty, a newness of life as mentioned in Rom. 6:4.
- Heb. 10:10-14 explains that we have redemption not just from the consequences of sin, as under the Law, but from the sins themselves.
Eternal redemption through Christ provides deliverance from the presence and power of sin as well as bondage of the body to corruption, Rom. 8:23.
What a wonderful blessing of redemption we have through the sacrifice of Jesus that was manifested by His love for us. We should never cease to lift Him up in praise and honor and glory.
“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed thru His infinite mercy. His child and forever I am.”
