Articles
Peter 10 - Redeem
Redemption
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. (1Peter 1:17-19)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
What is redemption?
To redeem, in common usage, can be “to fulfill or carry out,” as in redeeming a pledge. It is also often seen in small print on coupons used online or taken to a store: “Redeemable for ___” or “Not redeemable for cash.” The word translated “redeem” in English Bibles, comes from a word that has the meaning of “receive or deliver from bondage by paying a ransom.” Christ is the redeemer for a reason—His death is the only ransom that could be paid for the release from the bondage of sins that He did not commit.
Who needs the redemption provided by Christ?
All who have sinned need redemption: “For the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23; see also Revelation 20:12-14; 21:8). Death in sin results in eternal torment in “the lake that burns with fire” as well as being eternally separated from God. Furthermore, no matter from which nation men come, God says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This is an established fact, even from old: “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (1John 1:8-10). This includes you and me.
What will redeem men from their sins?
Peter writes of things of great value that may do many things, but none of them will take away man’s sins (1Peter 1:18-19). As noted, there is nothing of the value needed to release from bondage—it takes the blood of Jesus to redeem from sin. Take note of the passages of our text quoted above (1Peter 1:17-19; Ephesians 1:7-8; Colossians 1:13-14). The writer of Hebrews makes clear that the blood of animals—as used under the old covenant law with Israel—could not take away sins, but he Lord could be the only sacrifice and He has given Himself (Hebrews 10:4, 12-18). He shed His blood.
What does His blood do?
It is seen from our topic that His blood redeems, of course. But what does that redemption entail? Exactly what does His blood do in the matter of redemption? Jesus said of His blood that it is poured out for forgiveness of sins: “this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). It is also seen that His blood sanctifies, or sets apart for God’s purposes: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27; see also Hebrews 13:12-14). Paul also writes that His blood justifies [declare to be right, innocent]: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:8-9). John explains that if we then continue walking in the Light, turning from sins and confessing them, His blood cleanses: “if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:7). This means that His blood brings peace and reconciliation between man and God: “although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard” (Colossians 1:21-23).
What has it purchased?
The blood of Jesus, our redeemer, is enjoyed in the church, as the church has been purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28-30). The blood of Jesus, our redeemer, is reached in baptism (Romans 6:1-4, 17-18). This is the means by which all who are His are paid for and added to His church (Acts 2:40-41; 22:16).
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