A man came across a young boy who had caught and caged a little bird. The kid was tormenting the creature, with plans to feed it to his cat when he became bored. The man offered to purchase the bird. The cruel kid was incredulous. The bird was not pretty, and the cage was rusty. The boy accepted and set off smiling. The man walked around the corner, opened the coop door, and the bird flew off, into the wild blue yonder.
The Gospel Redefines Redemption
Redemption occurs when the release or liberty of persons or things is secured by payment. From a Christian perspective, the term ‘ransom’ refers to the idea that Jesus Christ’s death on the cross served as a payment to redeem humanity from sin and reconcile them with God. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the demand for an amount paid to release a kidnapped person or return stolen property.
- Redemption. A ransom paid; freedom bought. Freedom from entrapment. Release from the years that the locust ate. In the Old Testament, redemption was the means of purchasing slaves to set them free. An example is the Israelites’ liberation from captivity in Egypt (Exodus 12:29-42). The payment of a ransom price could redeem animals, property, and nations.
- Freedom. The power or right to act, speak or think as God designed life. Life before the fall. New Jerusalem, Holy City life. Liberty. No tears, no death, zero mourning, or pain. Glorious, bright, brilliant life. Emancipation from the intertwining of free will and self-will and strong wills. Freedom from the consequence of deifying the unholy trinity; me, myself, and I.
Those who call on the name of Jesus are freed to soar and live.
Redemption and freedom are two sides of the same coin. We cannot attain the latter without the former. The pursuit of freedom can lead to the need for redemption. Redemption freedom is not a straight-jacket that hinders. Neither is it a millstone around the neck or shackles that bind. Those who call on the name of Jesus are freed from the consequences of sin and death. Freed to soar and live.
God Frees Us, At a Great Cost
Jesus said everyone who sins is a slave to sin (John 8:34). And enslaved we were. Outside of redeeming grace, slaves remain. Rebellion robbed and entangled and depressed. But God. He rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13). A Redeemer was sent. Free grace. But, oh, the cost. The ransom price was the blood of the promised Messiah. ‘Blood’ is a word symbol for death. For our God made him be sin who knew no sin, that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Paul warned us not to use our freedom as an opportunity to sin.
How then must we live, considering such a great redemption? Paul warned us not to use our freedom as an opportunity to sin but rather, through love to serve one another (Galatians 5:13). We were bought at a price. David responded with uninhibited worship, calling on his Rock and Redeemer. Job cried, “I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:2). Isaiah repeatedly pointed God’s wayward people to their Redeemer.
What Does Freedom Look Like?
In the early 1880s, C. T. Studd was the best all-round cricketer of his day. By the time he was 23 years old, he was a household name. When his father passed away in 1887, Studd inherited a fortune. What would you do if you were an extravagantly prosperous young person with fame and acclaim?
Christ has bought our freedom. But with liberty comes responsibility.
His response was to give up cricket and wealth to live by faith. Studd set off as a missionary to China with Hudson Taylor. Later he would trailblaze for Christ in Africa. He said, “I had known about Jesus Christ’s dying for me, but I had never understood that if he had died for me, then I didn’t belong to myself. Redemption means ‘buying back,’ so if I belonged to him, either I had to be a thief and keep what wasn’t mine, or else I had to give up everything to God. When I came to see that Jesus Christ had died for me, it didn’t seem hard to give up all for him. It seemed just common, ordinary honesty.”
Studd’s example is a profound challenge because it is, at its core, a biblical response (Genesis 12:4). It reminds us of Moses (Hebrews 11:27). Paul suffered the loss of all things for Christ and considered them as dung (Philippians 3:8). These words make those of us who live relatively comfortable and safe lives squirm. Stephen didn’t congenially conform (Acts 7:51-60). Nor did James (Acts 12:1-2). Do we? Christ has bought our freedom. But with liberty comes responsibility—God-ordained responsibility (Matthew 28:18-20).
Has Redemption Changed Your Life?
The redeemed life is characterised by deep thankfulness.
Redemption is core to the Christian faith. Jesus’ death was the ransom to free our eternal souls from captivity. Our response must be surrender, devotion and hopefulness. An hourly submission that God is God and we are not. Daily commitment to the One who has engraved us on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16). Hope now. Eternal hope. Praying earnestly with the ancient hymn writer:
Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
The redeemed life is characterised by deep thankfulness. Ultimately it is a life lived in, for, and with Christ. Have you called upon the Rock of Ages? Do you have an assurance that you are redeemed? If so, is your life characterised by faith and freedom in Christ? As Studd later penned, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
