At one time or another in your life you have probably used a coupon to save “x amount off” a product or to receive a “free” product. Years ago, my family saved S&H greenstamps. The stamps came in sheets and were pasted in “books”. You collected “books” and redeemed them for a specific item in a catalog.
Let’s get right to the point of this blog entry – Redemption.
(I may be in a bit over my head, but I gotta try…)
In Christian theology redemption is a metaphor for what is achieved through the Atonement. The death of Jesus pays the price of a ransom which releases Christians from the bondage of sin and death. Christ gave His life so that we may be saved. Christ redeemed us.
So…what does this really mean?
When life gets difficult, how often have you told yourself, “I sure could use a break from…..”? What you really need isn’t a break from the craziness, but redemption – the promise of God to deliver you from the power of sin. It’s your bondage to sin that is the cause of the “craziness”.
We are all aware that prior to “the fall” Adam & Eve had unbroken fellowship with God. They had full advantage of Eden and all it held. Adam & Eve lived every minute of every day under the rule of God. Life was good!
We are also aware that after “the fall”, life wasn’t so good.
So, what does God do?
He “finds” a way for us sinful humans to return to an unbroken fellowship with Him.
“For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
You have been redeemed through Christ because God desires an unbroken fellowship with you.
Christ is your “coupon”. All ya gotta do is believe.
Dan’s View 