Redeem (verb): to buy back; to free from what harms (such as to free from captivity by payment of ransom, to free from the consequence of sin, to release from blame or debt); to atone for; to exchange for something of value
As I shared in my previous post, earlier this month I asked readers (via Social Media) to vote between three words (Eager, Redeem, Lament) to be the focus of my upcoming blog posts. Eager was officially the “winning” word but Redeem came so closely in second that I decided it also deserved my attention.
Some of the comments from those who voted for Redeem:
- I can’t help but pick redeem!! So much positive can come from this word. I know I’ve most definitely have been redeemed and it’s the most amazing feeling to know Christ has restored my heart along with that redeeming process
- I love the word ‘Redeem’. I feel like life is all about redemption and not perfection.
- My vote is for Redeem – this word always moves me…mostly to my knees.
- Redeem! We ARE the REDEEMED. And now share in the covenant that redemption gives us! He redeems us from the enemy and redeems us INTO His love!
Such passion and conviction expressed from those who voted for this word!
To take a step back, the reason “Redeem” was on my mind and put into the vote….
Several months ago, the song “I am Redeemed” (by Bid Daddy Weave) came on the radio and although I’ve heard the song likely hundreds of times before, this time I got to thinking…
How can a word be so casually used in relation to a daily activity (like redeeming a voucher), and yet also describe the process that leads to eternal salvation?
I avoided writing about Redeem for these past few months because the word felt too “big” to cover in a standard 1000-word blog post. Perhaps too theological. Definitely too significant.
Yet reading the enthusiastic comments from the voters made me think differently. And so now I write not with intention of being able to accurately describe the powerful meaning of this word, but rather only to express my gratitude towards God’s gift of redemption.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Redeem has several definitions, some biblically related and some not. When “redeemed” is used in the Old Testament, it typically involves deliverance from bondage based on the payment of a price by a redeemer (freedom from captivity).
An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them. Or if they prosper, they may redeem themselves. Leviticus 25:49
Whereas when it’s used in the New Testament, the primary definition is deliverance from sin. In other words, the promise of God to rescue us from the power and presence of sin through the death of His son Jesus Christ.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Galatians 3:13
What does the redemption “process” look like? Here’s my analogy:
Before redemption, I walked (metaphorically) looking downwards, hanging my head low, only seeing myself and a tiny portion of the big world. My sins, my regrets, my past and my struggles looked so big in this small sliver of the world or of eternity. The darkness loomed steadily.
I confessed my sins and choose to believe that Christ’s death paid my debt. That He died because of me and for me. I prayed for salvation (see more about this type of prayer here ).
I accepted God’s gift of grace. I became REDEEMED.
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14
With that act, Christ reached out and lifted up my chin. With my head up, I saw the cross as a symbol of His Love. I felt the penetrating light of His goodness. The stumbling blocks became stepping stones. The poor decisions I regretted became opportunities to do better. The shame and guilt became broken shackles left behind, lightening my step as I journeyed onward with hope.
Redemption is the process of being made new.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11
I can’t think about Redeemed without also having the word FREEDOM enter into my thoughts. Imagery like birds being released from a cage or butterflies emerging from their cocoons flood my mind.
Being made new.
Being set free.
Being Redeemed.