Redemption

Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so”

Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth”

What do you believe about redemption? Why did we have to be redeemed? What were we redeemed from? What were we redeemed with? It’s a sad thing that most believers can quote these verses, but have no clue what they mean when they say it. Redemption is such a beautiful concept, but how many Christians could describe it if you asked?

The word redemption in the Hebrew is gĕullah. It’s a legal term that to buy back something that was lost; specifically something that was lost because of debt. When someone accrued up a debt that was too large for them to pay, they were sold as slaves by their creditor. As a slave, they were required to work until their debt was paid off. The more debt they had, the longer they were forced into labor. Once their debt was paid, they were said to have redeemed themselves. Sadly, many times the debt was so great that entire families were sold into slavery to pay what was owed.

Sometimes a family member would find out about their relative’s slavery and want to help. They would learn how much that person owed on their debt and pay it in full. With no more debt, the person forced into slavery was legally set free - their relative redeemed them.

You’re already seeing the spiritual side of this, aren’t you?

God created mankind to serve Him. But when Adam sinned, he sold us into slavery. Jesus said in John 8:34, “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” Paul said in Romans 7:14 that we are “sold under sin.” Every human being on this planet was born into slavery. Although it entered our life as a family debt that was owed by Adam, it became a personal debt the moment we first sinned. We have been sold as slaves to sin and death.

The problem is, we can’t pay our debt. The payment of our debt is a sinless death. I can’t pay for my sin because I’m not sinless; and you can’t pay for my sin for the same reason. We were hopeless, destined for an eternity in Hell.

But, God had it all planned out! Psalm 130:7-8 says, “For with Yahweh there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” God’s plan was always to redeem us from our sin, but where could He find a sinless person to pay our debt?

The answer is, He took it on Himself! Hebrews 9:12 declares, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” God came in the flesh (Jesus) to give His own life to buy us back to Himself - that is the doctrine of redemption.

We’ve been redeemed from the penalty of sin.
Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
We are no longer required to bear the punishment of our sin. Jesus paid the price in full!

We’ve been redeemed from the power of sin.
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
Romans 6:18 “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
When Jesus redeemed us, He broke the power that sin had over us. Now, we are free from our sinful nature!

We will be redeemed from the presence of sin.
Luke 21:28 “...look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Romans 8:23 “...eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
One day, our bodies will be redeemed - when we’re caught up to be with the Lord in the air! The Bible says that “when we see Him, we will be like Him” (1 John 3:2). On that day, every trace of our old nature will be annihilated, and we will be in the presence of our Redeemer forever!