When you receive a gift card, how do you use it? You redeem it at the appropriate store. When you receive a check, what do you do? You redeem it at the bank.
So, what does it mean that Jesus redeemed us? Just what is “Redemption”? Most Christians will acknowledge that they are redeemed but when you question them as to what that means, what is the answer?
To redeem means to buy back; to turn in and receive something in exchange. An example would by store coupons. With the coupons, you receive a certain amount of money deducted from the payment of your purchase.
When Adam sinned, we lost our right standing with God. The whole human race was plunged into darkness, headed for eternal damnation. But God, in His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge, had a plan already in place. He would send a “Redeemer” to buy back what had been lost. He would, through Jesus, redeem mankind from sin, sickness, and spiritual death.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV) 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Now, if you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve probably heard this. But do you know the magnitude of what actually happened?
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
When Jesus went to the Cross, He redeemed us from sin by becoming sin for us. He not only took our sins on His pure, sinless Spirit, but He actually became that horrible sin. He was made sin! Pure and holy as He was, He was made sin – the evil, demonic, filth of this world, the very nature of Satan, so that we could become righteous in the eyes of our Father God, having no sense of sin-consciousness, inferiority, or condemnation.
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The only way Jesus could have died was to be made sin for us. Heretofore, He had no sin in Himself. Sin is what causes death. So, when He took our sins on Himself, He died. He paid the total price for our Redemption so that we don’t have to pay it.
But it’s our choice. We can receive what He has done for us or reject it. In the final analysis, we will have no excuse for where we end up – Heaven or hell – because it’s our choice. We need to make the right choice and choose God’s way of salvation by accepting what Jesus did for us as our Savior and make Him our Lord. Then we can all rejoice together in heaven for all eternity!
— Pamela
Pamela Moyle Ministries 