God's Redeemed
Redeem [ri-DEEM]:
- To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.
- To pay off.
- To set free; rescue or ransom.
What does it mean to be "God's Redeemed?"
Redemption is in Jesus Christ. He offers release and deliverance from the guilt of sin, the power of sin and the consequence of sin. Without that redemption sinners are helplessly and hopelessly cut off from God. Our God and Savior “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed” (Titus 2:14).
A ransom was paid to release sinners from the wages of their sins. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). When Jesus willingly laid down His life for mankind, His blood was shed. Jesus paid the ransom with His own blood to atone for sin. The apostle Peter reminded the elect of God that they were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Paul told saints in Corinth, “…You were bought at a price…” (1 Corinthians 6:20). Freedom from sin came at a high price.
Jesus has entered the Holiest of All – Heaven – with His sacrificed blood, consecrating a new and living way for believers to follow (cf. Hebrews 10:19-20). The continually shedding of animals’ blood under the former covenant did not take away sins but was a reminder of sins (Hebrews 10:3-4). When Christ entered the Most Holy Place with His own blood, He did so “once for all” (Hebrews 9:12). He does not need to offer the same sacrifice repeatedly. He offered Himself once forever and now sits at His Father’s right hand (Hebrews 10:12). He obtained eternal redemption. His blood is able to cleanse sinners from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14).
The redeemed are those who have been forgiven of their sins. In Christ “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). The Scriptures reveal that there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (cf. Hebrews 9:22). The heavenly Father set forth His Son to be “a propitiation by His blood” (Romans 3:25) because all have sinned. All are accountable to God. An expiatory sacrifice has been offered on sinners’ behalf that they may be justified through the redemption that is in Jesus (Romans 3:24). The apostle John saw a heavenly vision where the redeemed from the earth learn a new song (cf. Revelation 14:3). Before the throne of God they sing about the victory of redemption. The Lion and Lamb of God has prevailed and redeemed men out of every nation unto God, making them a kingdom and priests to God (cf. Revelation 5:9-10).
The wrath of God will be witnessed at the revelation of His righteous judgment. It will be poured out upon disobedience and sin (cf. Colossians 3:5-6). Christ Jesus died for sinners that they may have access by faith into God’s grace. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (cf. Romans 5:1-2; Romans 5:8-9). In Christ disciples are redeemed from the eternal consequences of their sins.
~ David Bunting
The church of Christ at Northfield Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN
Murfreesboro, TN