Listening to a worship song, my spirit was struck by the lyric “the Lord redeems the broken.” That word redeem is an old word, not something you hear much in conversations today. If you want to redeem a coupon, you must present the ticket to the entity that holds the power or gift, at which time they release that power or gift to you. Redemption packs a powerful punch in its expansive meaning and intent, but nothing happens without the exchange.
Merriam-Webster defines redeem as buying something back; freeing a captive by paying the ransom; overcoming something detrimental; release from blame or debt; freed from the consequences of sin; to reform, repair, or restore; freed from a lien by payment; removal of an obligation; to make good or exchange for something of value; to make right an error; and to make worthwhile. Redemption by its very definition demands a two-way transaction.
Amazingly, the Lord Jesus Christ offers all those benefits to people who confess Him as the Son of God and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. Jesus made Himself the ransom, reuniting individuals to God. Jesus’ gift redeems us from death and the power of the grave; from the hand of the enemy; and from all iniquity, allowing us to receive adoption as sons and daughters into the family of the Most-High God.
Our position in heaven is sure through our belief in Jesus Christ, but it matters how we run this race called life. We are expected to be committed to growing in Divine Grace, a continual process of sanctification which comes by our belief in the Word of God, our obedience to it, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
God does not want us to lag behind in any gift and it is His will for us to learn how to conduct ourselves in a pure and honorable way. Those who claim the name of Christ are told to depart from sin and even though we have the right to do anything, not everything is beneficial. We are warned to seriously fight for the faith because there are ungodly people who will creep into our lives and turn the grace of God into lustful behavior, leading us to deny the Savior.
What if there were unredeemed spiritual coupons of sorts? Tokens labeled with titles like unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, pride, lust, lying, covetousness, or a desire to cause injury to another. How willing would we be to take our pride coupon to the Redeemer God in exchange for something good, worthwhile, and valuable?
One’s standing in Christ is secure, but a complete redemption does not take place without a full exchange.
What unredeemed coupon might you be holding in your hand?
Challenged by Jude 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; John 17:17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 6:12; Galatians 4:5; Psalm 49:15; Titus 2:14; Psalm 78:35; Job 6:23; Colossians 3:5-9
