What is redemption?

Redemption is one concept in the Bible that is not always clearly understood. What is it actually all about?

Redemption is about gaining or regaining freedom at a price, called the ransom. Man was held in bondage as a slave and a child of Satan (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2-3) in the prison of the world system and the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13; 1 John 5:19) by a tyrannical slave master and the god of the world system, Satan (John 12:31; John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19), for owing the debt of sin, of which the penalty was death (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4,20; Romans 6:23; James 1:15).

It was an eternal decree that the wages of sin is death (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23) and that whosoever commits sin is a slave to sin (John 8:34). Thus, men, having sinned, sold themselves to Satan and became slaves to Satan and sin (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12,19; Romans 6:16-17,20; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

In order for man to be freed, someone had to pay the ransom. There was no man qualified to ransom man out of this bondage. A slave could not free himself from the slave master, neither could another slave rescue him from the bondage of sin and death.

The ransom price was high and none could afford it, or even qualified to present it. The only one that could redeem man had to be a man – a kinsman, who himself had not sinned and thus was not held captive as a slave. Man sold out, so man had to redeem man.

God was not going to leave man in his misery. He promised a way out. He would redeem man at his own cost.

In the fulness of time, God sent His Son to take up humanity (John 1:1,14; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:7) so that, as He Himself was not a slave (John 8:35), He could become a Man and qualify as a kinsman – someone who, as the nearest relative of man, would be charged with the duty of rescuing and restoring the rights of man and avenging his wrongs (Hebrews 2:14-15). As a Man, He would have blood to offer, a pure blood, His blood being His life (Leviticus 17:11), as a ransom price (Hebrews 9:22) to redeem man from his slavery.

So, Jesus became the sacrifice (Romans 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 10:1-18; 1 John 2:2) and the redeemer. The Bible says that Jesus gave Himself as the ransom (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1Timothy 2:6). He paid the price in full (John 19:30; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Ephesians 1:7); once and for all (Acts 20:28; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5).

Man was therefore purchased back from the bondage of Satan (Colossians 1:13-14; Acts 26:18; Galatians 1:4); out of the slave market; and set free (John 8:32,36); from sin and all penalty of the slavery (Romans 5:9; Romans 6:18,22; Galatians 4:3-5; Colossians 2:20; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:3-5; Hebrews 2:14-15; Hebrews 9:12-15; 1 Peter 3:18); and unto God (Revelation 5:9).

Jesus Christ laid down his life (John 10:11,15,17,18; John 14:31; Philippians 2:8);  to die in the hands of men (Acts 2:23-24; Acts 2:36; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:10; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39-40; 1 Corinthians 2:8); for the redemption of man.

In his death, he paid the debt for man, and by his resurrection he conquered death, which was the consequence of sin, and defeated him who had the power of death, for us all (Colossians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:9,14; Revelation 1:18).

Our redeemer abolished the certificate of debt that contained our failures and the stipulated penalty (Colossian 2:13-14). There are no more charges and no more condemnation (Romans 8:1,33) for those who believe and receive what Christ has done (John 3:15-17). They have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14). Because Christ lives, they live also (John 14:19). They are God’s purchased possession forever.

God was faithful. He kept his promise. He remains faithful to keep what he has done.

This is the story of our glorious, complete, and eternal redemption.

Have you received this redemption?

In Part 2, we shall discuss one of the many misconceptions about redemption.