redemption
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.  Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”  Isaiah 44:22

The Hebrew meaning of the word “redeem” as used in this verse is ga’al and it means: 

  1. to act as a kinsman or redeemer
  2. to redeem (by payment)
  3. God redeeming from death, from bondage, from exile
  4. to exact vengeance 

Isn’t it great news that when we return to Him in repentance, God not only sweeps away our sins but He redeems us as well!  He sets us free!  Jesus paid the price for us – He is our kinsman-redeemer! 

Often, instead of rejoicing over our redemption we hold onto our sins and live under guilt and condemnation.  God has swept away our sins, why don’t we?  Perhaps there is an old religious remnant in our thinking that says we must “do penance” and, by telling ourselves how unworthy we are and beating ourselves up, it fulfills that need for self-atonement.  How long do we hold onto it – one day, three days, a week, a month, years?  When will we feel absolved?  

We are absolved the moment we said we were sorry and the Lord redeemed us!  We don’t have to do penance.  We do not have to hold onto the guilt any longer.   “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus….”  Romans 8:1(a)  

There is, however, a caveat:  Once we have been redeemed we must walk in it.  Jesus said to the man He had healed, “See, you have been made well.  Sin no more, lest a worst thing come upon you.” John 5:14; and, to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  John 8:11 

But, even if we blow it again (and again) which we are sometimes prone to do, we do know that He is the God of second, third, fourth and fifty-fourth chances.  He doesn’t leave us hanging.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 

So I encourage you today to thank the Lord for His redemption, walk with your head held high as a child of the King, and be bold in the power of His salvation!

Keep the faith!