By Stewart Topping …
Redemption is a term used in the Bible to refer to the special intervention of God for the salvation of mankind. This use of the word deals with the work of Jesus Christ on the cross in which He paid the price to purchase human beings and set them free from their slavery to sin. On account of Christ’s substitutionary atonement, He is called the redeemer.
“Warren Doud”
There are several things we should be reminded about as we dive into the scriptures. There are two things we have as a result of Adam’s sin.
1. We were sold into slavery by sin, Adam’s sin in the garden.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Romans 7:14 (KJV)
2. We are in bondage to sin (iniquity).
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8:23 (KJV)
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrew 2:15 (KJV)
God provided a way to resolve our problems: sin from Adam and our bondage to Satan.
1. We have redemption through the shed blood of Jesus, he paid the price.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Eph 1:7 (KJV)
2. Redemption delivers us from Satan, who is the Power of this world.
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated usinto the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Col. 1:13-14 (KJV)
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Eph. 2:2 (KJV)
Note: A very important thing happens at the time we are redeemed, we are forgiven.
We do not have to ask for forgiveness because it is included in redemption. We need redemption not forgiveness. (When we obtain our redemption, we also are forgiven.)
Redemption was a plan of God from the beginning of creation because of the fall of Adam.
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen 3:15 (KJV)
Being redeemed is more than fire insurance. It is a process that was planned before the time of creation. God knew that man in his initial created state could not resist the temptation of doing the opposite of what God said to do. So he set in motion the plan of redemption. Most people believe God made a mistake with the creation of man and then had to fix it. I believe we have to go through a process of understanding the nature of sin and then rejecting it for a new life in God.
In order to want to reach out and accept Jesus as your Savior, you have to recognize you are in bondage to Satan and a slave to the world. And realize that sin is a problem that can be solved.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12 (KJV)
Summary
- Sin started in the garden by the fall of Adam.
- Sin put us in bondage to Satan.
- We are slaves to sin.
- Jesus paid the price to redeem us by his shed blood on the cross of Calvary.
- The Bible is a book of redemption, all 66 books.
We do not need to ask for forgiveness for our sins but we need to be thankful for our redemption.
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thes. 2:13-14 (KJV)
We are to give thanks always, we should always acknowledge Him, and obey him. God gave us a way back to His perfect grace where he will provide everything and take care of us.
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14 (KJV)
Re-read the scriptures and meditate on them for a while, until they sink in.