Passion 2012 (Post #4 - Redemption)

#4. Redemption

Have you ever truly thought about redemption? What does that word really mean? The dictionary defines redemption as deliverance, rescue, and atonement for guilt. Think about this in relation to Christianity, and it means deliverance from sin (aka our salvation). At Passion 2012, I was absolutely taken captive by this concept. Of course I've thought of it and understood its implications before, but it seems when you are so completely and acutely focused on Jesus and your relationship with Him 24/7 for days on end, you can't help but be overwhelmed and consumed by the beauty of redemption and salvation no matter how much you already believe it. The truth of it is - we have been redeemed. Our debt has been paid, and by the blood of the cross we have been delivered from our guilt. If that doesn't bring you to your knees in gracious thanksgiving, I don't know what will. Our Savior chose to rescue us from ourselves. Not because we did, have done, or will do anything to earn it, but because in His goodness He LOVES us and wants us to be rescued.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Ephesians 2:4-5

And what's even more beautiful about redemption is that Jesus died for us even though we are sinners, and He knew we always will be. He didn't and doesn't wait until we clean ourselves up. He has grace as we have transgressions. It's His redeeming love and power that gives us the strength to clean ourselves up. 2 Peter 1:3-9 says,

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

If we don't accept by faith the forgiveness that has been given to us, we will continue to fail over and over again. But by faith in His redemption, we are given everything we need to live the godly life we have been called to.

As I reflected on redemption this week, I couldn't help but be overcome by the awesomeness of God's grace and mercy, and it reminded me of the story of Job and the calling we have to show grace and mercy to others. Throughout the book of Job, Job's three friends believe that Job must have sinned against God to be experiencing the trouble he has in his life. They continuously criticize him for refusing to confess his sins, and they assume God is punishing some evil in Job's life. They leave no room to consider how God may be working through this situation. In Job 42:7-9, God specifically addresses Job's friends. He tells them He is angry with them and instructs them to sacrifice burnt offerings for themselves. He also says Job will pray for them, and He will accept the prayer instead of dealing with them according to their folly.

The way both the Lord and Job dealt with Job's friends are beautiful examples of grace and mercy. Job's friends let their theology become bigger than the sovereignty of the Lord. Instead of disciplining them, God shows them mercy, and through His grace, they are forgiven their actions. Job also shows mercy and grace. For an entire book, Job's friends blame him for his problems, accuse him of hidden sin, and lack any sympathy, encouragement, or care. Yet, when the Lord asks Job to pray for his friends so that their folly may be forgiven, he does so without question. Despite their misgivings, Job forgives his friends and speaks to the Lord on their behalf through prayer.

Job is a beautiful reminder of the immeasurable grace and mercy the Lord has for us, but it also a reminder of the grace and mercy we should have for others. We are to follow the example of Christ in all that we do, including praying for and forgiving those who have hurt us.

What a gift we have in redemption. What a freedom we have when we surrender to the Lord and accept the payment that has been made for our sins. And what a joyous responsibility we have to live our lives for and like Christ.

You can't turn back time
You can't erase the truth
You can't relive things
You wanna undo
Fall for words
It'll mark your soul
Your heart tender
And your thoughts bold

And I fixed my eyes
On redeeming love