The Mystery of Redemption
INTRODUCTION:
Redemption according to the Oxford English Dictionary is defined as 'The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil', this gives a bird's eye-view of the subject matter of Redemption. In St. Luke 1:68 it is recorded that Zechariah the father of John the Baptist said 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;For he hath visited and redeemed his people(KJV)', the word 'redeemed' as used in this verse is from the Greek word “lytrōsis” which means a 'ransoming, deliverance' or 'a rescue', this gives a more particular definition of redemption in our Christian faith.
In today's teaching, we will be delving into the mystery of redemption in three sub topics, viz;
- Source of Redemption
- Redemptive Inheritance; and
- How can I be redeemed?
It is essential to read-up this with an open mind as the Holy Spirit through his word teaches us, Amen.
SOURCE OF REDEMPTION:
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
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 2:13-14.(KJV)
forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19(KJV).
Jesus Christ the only begotten(monogenēs) of the Father, was born by a woman, was on earth for over thirty three(33) years, and was crucified, this we know is true and backed up by historical facts. It is seen from the scriptures above(Titus2:13-14 and 1Peter1:18-19) that Jesus Christ is the singular source of redemption for humanity and redemption is by His blood as written in 1Peter 1:19. So, there is no other source of redemption outside our Lord Jesus Christ as his blood alone has the efficacy to redeem humanity from iniquity, calamity and atrocity.
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REDEMPTIVE INHERITANCE:
Through the grace of God we have established that redemption is from Christ Jesus through his blood, may this knowledge be revealed to us deeply, Amen. So, a common question we ask is 'what is the essence of redemption?' Oh, aside salvation what else does this redemption have in stock for us? The crux of today's teaching is the Redemptive Inheritance in Christ Jesus, it is important to emphasize that Jesus came to redeem us from the dead state we were as a result of the falling of Man through the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. But this redemption package didn't just end in bringing us back to original state we were before the fall of Man, it upgraded us to become higher than Angels, this we see in Psalm 8:5(we were a little bit lower than Angels) and 1Corithians 6:3 (we are now to judge Angels), it also had other redemptive package, this is seen in Revelation 5:12;
'saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.(KJV)', which I call 'The seven inheritance in Christ Jesus'. It is glaring therefore, that every believer as a result of the death of Christ who is the Lamb that was slain has an inheritance of honour, power, glory, strength, wisdom, riches and blessing by accepting redemption through faith in Christ Jesus.
Also, in Galatians 3:13, Apostle Paul told the Church in Galatia present day Turkey this;
'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: - Galatians 3:13'(KJV), another essence of redemption is freedom from the law(mosaic law) , Apostle Paul told the church in Rome that we were not under Law but under Grace (Roman 6:14) and this was as a result of redemption we obtained through the blood of Jesus Christ. So every believer is not under the Hebrew Law rather we have obtained Grace which helps us to live above sin. But please it is important to emphasize that the Grace obtained from redemption is not a permission to sin(Romans6:1-2).
The essence of redemption is inexhaustible as we can go on and on to establish this, but I will list some key ones below;
I. Forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7)
II. Free justification (Romans3:24)
III. Eternal Inheritance ( Hebrews 9:15)
IV. Adoption to become sons(Galatians 4:5).
[image credit] (image from google)
So, haven established the very many redemptive inheritance in Christ Jesus we will move to the last part of this teaching, 'How can I receive redemption? '
HOW CAN I BE REDEEMED?:
Redemption is too good to be True and of such everyone should come to the saving Grace of Christ that is able to redeem us from sin, destruction, the law, addiction, and so on. But it is one thing to know about Redemption and it is another to receive Redemption.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. - Romans10:1(ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - john3:16(ESV)
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, - Acts 3:19(ESV)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans10:9
[image credit] (image from google)
All it takes to be redeemed is salvation and all it takes to receive salvation is confession with our mouth and profession in our heart about the Lordship of Christ Jesus, the son of God. It is also important for us to repent and turn away from our wicked ways so that our sins may be blotted out(Acts3:19).
CONCLUSION
We have been able to unravel through the help of the Holy Spirit the mystery of Redemption, that Jesus is the only source of redemption, and that one has to be saved first before one can be redeemed. Why don't you accept Jesus today as your personal Lord and Savior?
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