Understanding Redemption: God's Restoring Power
Redemption is God restoring humanity to Himself, accomplished through Christ Jesus, who paid the ultimate price for the world’s sins by shedding His blood. He, who was without sin, became sin so that we might become His righteousness. Only Jesus can offer forgiveness because of who He is and what He accomplished on the cross. The Scriptures below help us understand what redemption is and why it is essential to our faith.
1. Understanding Redemption
“In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7, KJV). The righteous blood of Jesus shed on the cross gives forgiveness. Since the fall in the garden, mankind has been lost and separated from God because of sin. All people have been born under the curse of sin. Jesus restores humanity back to God through His righteousness. Redemption can be defined as the act of God's love and grace given to us through Christ, who shed his blood for the forgiveness of sins.
2. The Need for Redemption
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24, NIV). We have been separated from God, but because of the redeeming power of Jesus, we can be forgiven, restoring our relationship. Without redemption, humanity would be hopelessly lost. The mercy of God provides salvation through the redeeming power of Christ, breaking the curse of sin, death, and separation from God. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).
3. The Cost of Redemption
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV). The empty way of life inherited from our ancestors—rooted in sin and separation from God—was the consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the garden, plunging humanity into darkness. God did not use material things like silver and gold to restore our relationship. He used the precious blood of Christ. The cost of redemption was displayed on the cross, shown by the broken and torn body of Christ, who shed His blood to bring us out of the darkness into His glorious light. Because of the love and mercy of God, we now have salvation and eternal promise in His presence forever.
4. The Result of Redemption
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14, NIV). Redemption brings justification and transforms our lives and relationship with God, who rescues us from the dominion of darkness. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John, 8:36, NIV). He does not desire anyone to be lost. The light of the world gives His life freely as an offering to redeem the lost, mend the broken, and restore hope to the hopeless forevermore.
Jonathan Michelsen, M.A., B.S.