Redemption (Gr. Apolutrōsis) means “a releasing by ransom.” The term is used to represent freedom from bondage, captivity, or evil of any kind by paying a price or ransom.
Redemption from Egypt
In the Old Testament, the great typical incident that represented redemption was the deliverance from Egypt. The Lord God, as the redeemer or deliverer, promised, “I will redeem you with a stretched out arm” (Exodus 6:6; 15:13). The purpose of the redemption was the dedication of the Israelites to God (Exodus 6:7). And in order to receive the redemption, the Israelites showed their faith by eating of the Passover lamb and in the sprinkling of the blood (Exodus 12).
Christ redeemed humans from sin by His blood
The symbols of the Passover is fulfilled in the redemption of humans from the penalty of sin and death through Jesus who is “the Lamb that was slain” (Revelation 5:12; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:18, 19). And the New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus paid the ransom or price for man’s redemption. “The Son of man came … to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). And Paul affirmed that Christ is the One “who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6). Thus, Christians are “bought” (2 Peter 2:1) “with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). For Christ hath redeemed them from the curse of the law, being made a curse for them (Galatians 3:13).
Thus, in one sense, justification is not free, for God’s innocent Son paid an infinite price by His life and death. But it is considered free to the believers since its cost is not paid by them, but has been paid by the Jesus Christ. And this redemption ramsons the believers from sin (Ephesian 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:18, 19), from ruin and death (Rom. 8:23). And finally it will redeem them from the world of wickedness into eternal life (Luke 21:28; Ephesians 4:30).
How can a person receive redemption?
When a person accepts Jesus as His personal Savior, sinful as he may have been, God considers that person righteous for Jesus’ sake. When in gratitude the believer in Christ surrenders, without holding back, to the mercy and will of God, the righteousness of justification is accredited to him by faith (Romans 1:17; 3:26). And as he grows daily in this process of trust, surrender, and fellowship, his faith rises, helping him to obtain more of the righteousness of sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Thus, through justification, God’s Son saves the believers instantaneously from the penalty of sin (Romans 5:1). And through sanctification, He saves them daily from the bondage of sin by giving them victory over it (2 Corinthians 2:14). And finally, at Christ’s second coming and the resurrection, He will save them eternally from the existence of sin (Revelation 21:4).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
