Speak Lord; I’m Listening – Daily Bite-Size Encouragement – Day 13
Our culture doesn’t talk about redemption much these days, but it is a crucial concept that we need to understand. “Redeem means to rescue from captivity or bondage, or any obligation or liability, by paying an equivalent; as, to redeem prisoners or captured goods; to regain what was alienated.”1
Redeem Animals
When we look in history, we see that Noah gathered the animals two-by-two into the ark. Hence, the animal kingdom survived the great flood. Though the flood was God’s punishment on people for their sins, the animals were affected by the penalty. But God made a way of escape so the human race could survive, and in the process, He made a way to redeem the animals.2
Redeem Humanity
“God always makes a way of escape from sin. God’s Word says, “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”3
When we sin, our sin separates us from God because evil comes between us. Yet Jesus made way for our fellowship to be restored. Jesus takes our guilt upon Himself so that He is seen as the guilty one. When Jesus died for our sins, He made way for us to be reunited in fellowship with God. We who have done the wrong are given a clean slate. It is the ultimate exchange program! Jesus takes our sin, guilt, and bondage, then gives us a pure heart, clear conscience, and freedom.
Jesus takes our sin, guilt, and bondage, then gives us a clean heart, clear conscience, and freedom. ~Lisa Blair
The Wages of Sin is Death
I remember hearing a speaker say, “We can pick our sin, but we cannot pick the consequences or the timing of the consequences.” For example, if someone commits adultery, they cannot see that their momentary pleasure may equal the death of their decade-old marriage in a matter of months. It may mean their children lose heart, turn to drugs, then die of an overdose. If a man saw that a temporary fling would cost him his marriage and the life of his child, do you think he would still think it was worth it? Probably not.
That’s the painful reality of indulging in lust. It’s like a driverless truck set in motion on a hill, and we have no idea what the careening vehicle will hit on its way down the steep slope.
Regarding our fleshly cravings – whatever the lust may be, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s,”4 can be our undoing.
We can choose our lust pleasure, but we cannot determine the consequences of the indulgence. Why? Because the wage of sin is death, but we don’t get to choose what dies.
Redeem Equals Liberty
“In theology, redeem means to rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God’s violated law, by obedience and suffering in the place of the sinner, or by doing and suffering that which is accepted in [place] of the sinner’s obedience.”5
[Christ Jesus] gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds.” And, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us.”6
Redeemed
In the past, God rescued all of humanity and all of the animal kingdom when He delivered Noah, Noah’s family, and the animals from the flood that covered the earth. Now, God clears a way of escape for us in every temptation so that we can escape sin, guilt, and bondage. When we take the way of freedom, we experience liberty. We find redemption.
If we choose to take the path of sin, we can ask forgiveness and experience the liberty that comes to our hearts and our conscience, but know that the consequences of sin will still be in motion. For example, if a thief steals money from a lumber store, later regrets it and turns away from stealing again – which is a good thing. However, the action of stealing has set processes in motion, so he may serve time in jail for the original act of stealing from the lumber store. So his heart is free, but his body will be behind bars.
It is better to choose the way of escape and experience liberty of heart, mind, and body! However, if you choose the path of sin and repent, there is hope for peace in God. But know that the wages of sin is death, and you have no choice in what dies.
Recommendations:
Intentional Whole-Hearted Living Whole-Hearted – Living in Freedom – Strength with Dignity
Hope for Sinners caught in the Act Patient with an Adulteress – Strength with Dignity
References:
1 Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from http://www.webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/redeem
2 Symbols of Redemption and What They Mean for Christians. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://symbolsage.com/symbols-of-redemption/
3 1 Corinthians 10:13 WEB
4 1 John 2:16 WEB
5 Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from http://www.webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/redeem
6 Titus 2:14 AMPC; Galatians 3:13a NASB
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Scriptures were retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.biblegateway.com #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
