Many Say They Don’t Know What This Word Means

The word is: Redemption

So often, we call Jesus our “redeemer”, yet this word is rarely used in our culture. But, this word is so profound, powerful if you will. Redemption always involves going from something to something else. In this case it is Christ freeing us from the bondage of the law to freedom of a new life in him.

The streets of heaven will be filled with former captives who, through no merit of their own, find themselves redeemed, forgiven, and free. Slaves to sin have become saints. No wonder we will sing a new song—a song of praise to the Redeemer who was slain.

Look at these passages using the word “redemption” or “redeemed”:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us — for it is written (Galatians 3:13)

…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

King Saul imposed the penalty of death upon the person who ate food before evening. When his son Jonathan admitted to having eaten food before evening, Saul was going to enforce the penalty of death. However, the people of Israel instead ‘ransomed Jonathan’, so he would not face the penalty of death. Whether it was money used to ransom Jonathan is irrelevant. The point is this: a ransom was not given to an evil-doing hostage-taker. The ransom was paid so the person who had broken the law could be free from the penalty the law required.

To redeem someone refers not to the price itself, but it refers to the act of freeing or releasing someone from a penalty.

Christians who claim to hold the “classic” perspective of the “ransom” see it as God paying a ransom (Jesus) to Satan (the hostage-taker) in order to free the people he kidnapped (humanity). But, this is not true redemption.

God was not deceptively pulling a bait-and-switch, as if he were handing Jesus over to the Satan in exchange for humanity, only to say “Gotcha!” while grabbing Jesus back at the last moment.

GOD DOES NOT OWE ANYTHING TO SATAN

To imply that God owes Satan anything implies that Satan had ownership of humanity. Scripture says that Satan is a “thief” (see John 10:10). A thief doesn’t own any thing; he only steals, kills and destroys what is rightfully not his.

So, now you have a closer look at the word redemption. What Jesus did has set you free from sin and death. Now, this will bring you closer to Him and remembering this truth will cause you to be, “living lighter today”.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

How does your understanding of the word redemption cause you to live lighter today?