WALK IN THE REALITY OF REDEMPTION

“IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” – Ephesians 1:7

To walk in perfection is to WALK IN the REALITY of REDEMPTION: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph.1:7). Redemption is: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil; the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt. In Christ, we have both redemption (deliverance) and forgiveness or remission of sins – total removal or blotting away of sins! After the Fall of Man due to Adam’s high treason, God did not abandon him to suffer eternally in his fallen state. Instead, in His great mercy and love, God outlined a plan of Redemption. This mystery was hidden, for God’s enemy, the devil, not to interrupt it. This plan which nullified Satan’s schemes has now been made known to us through the Word (Rom.16:25-27).

Redemption in the Old Testament involved deliverance from bondage based on the payment of a price by a redeemer, which could relate to a person, property or right to which one had a previous claim. The fundamental message of the New Testament is that Christ Jesus “is made unto us…Redemption” (1Cor.1:30). In Him is fulfilled the long-awaited redemption:  delivering humankind from its state of alienation from God was accomplished through His death and resurrection (Eph.1:7). Only His atoning death could liberate humankind from the captivity of sin. To walk in redemption’s reality means to understand God’s plan and align accordingly: “For you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God…” (1Cor.6:20).

Redemption is the reversal of the fall:  the spiritually dead come alive; children of wrath become children of God; and Satan’s lordship is broken (Eph.2:4; 1Jh.3:1). However, no one can contribute anything positive to their own redemption (Rom.3:23-28). Only Jesus was qualified to undo the effects of the fall. As the eternal Son of God incarnate through the Virgin Mary, He was exempted from inheriting Adam’s sin. He was tempted as He lived in a fallen world, facing the struggles that all humans face, but without sin (Heb.2:14-18; 4:15; 2Pet.2:22). He alone could make sinful humans fit to worship a holy God (Acts 4:12). Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world so that all who believe in Him will be saved (Rom.5:6-11).

Redemption is the promise of God to deliver us from the power and presence of sin. Adam and Eve, prior to their rebellion, had unbroken fellowship with God, unparalleled intimacy with each other and undisturbed bliss in their Edenic environment. They exercised biblical dominion over creation, complemented each other perfectly and joyously lived every moment under God’s rule. The Bible’s Big Picture of Redemption is envisioned as a Day when all things would be fully and forever restored (Rev.21:4). Worship, not worry, will characterize God’s family in an endless world. The fallen world will be redeemed. The final book of the Bible is a fitting end to the story of the fall with its triumphant declaration of full redemption (Rev.22:1-5).

It’s time to walk in the Reality and Light of your Redemption! Living as Christians in a broken world means encountering, but overcoming trials, tribulations, and battles against the flesh, the world and forces of darkness. Free from condemnation, begin to take your place in God’s Kingdom, assuming your rights, privileges, and glorious inheritance in Christ (Acts 20:32; Eph.1:11,14; Col.1:12). God is not through with you: “He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil.1:6). You are work-in-progress, longing for the Perfect Day, rightfully anticipating the promises of Him who justly pronounced a curse on earth and then lovingly took that curse upon Himself in order to redeem humankind for His glory.

All of creation groans, longing for redemption (Rom.8:22-23). The pandemic, lockdowns, racism, protests, looting, violence, pains in hearts, minds, bodies, and families – are signs of groaning creation. The promise of redemption is that the pains and hurts are not final. These sufferings are temporary aberrations in a perfected but evolving eternal Story of Redemption.