THE COST OF REDEMPTION

Hello beautiful people,I pray that your day was blessed and that you are ready to tackle this weekend. Today, I felt it strongly on my heart to talk about redemption. Oxford's dictionary defines it as: the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.1 Corinthians 7:23 reminds us that we were bought with a price; and should therefore not become slaves of men. 1 Peter 1:18-19 emphasizes that we were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from our futile way of life that we inherited from our forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. As a law student, my perception of things is often seen through the eyes of the law. When making a contract, a person needs an offer, acceptance, and consideration. Consideration is exchanging something of value for something of value. When we look at the same principle through Gods law, we can easily see how the two parallel. If we take a look at John 3:16 which states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life." That is the offer. When Christ died, he offered up his life for us. Acceptance happens when we accept his sacrifice on the cross (consenting to his offer) and given up our life in exchange for a life with him (consideration). Once you’ve acceptEd him, you’ve been redeemed! Just as it is when two people agree on something, there’s mutual assent and a contract is formed.

The law of contracts is binding to the two parties but even if one breaches, the remedy is not for you to be penalized but instead, to be made whole. The same is true biblically. God does not want us to perish, but instead wants us to be made whole. While the penalty of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life. Christ did not redeem us so that he can enslave us, he redeemed us so that he can set us free. Accepting Jesus as our savior is an act that allows us to be redeemed from everything that had a hold on us. 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. What the Lord is essentially doing is drawing us unto him. He is saying come my child, I know you’re dirty, I know you smell like alcohol, I know that they molested you, I know that depression has taken over your life, I know you are angry, I know you’ve been dependent on that drug, I know you’ve been in prison, I know even the people that were supposed to love you were the ones who abused you, BUT COME!! Just come, I’ll clean you up, I’ll make it right, I’ll give you peace, you won’t be here forever, I can take that anger, give me that pain, I’ll carry it, give me that bottle, I’ll make you whole again. Ahhhh that's just the kind of God he is--so loving, patient, kind, and not wanting any one of us to perish! When you accept that invitation (offer) he redeems you, cleans you up, and now your life is made anew. What are you holding onto that's keeping you from forming that covenant with him? Take some time to mediate on the work of Christ on the cross. The love that propelled him to die, be mocked, ridiculed, spit on, and beaten. Realize that it was all for you—and me. The reward for accepting that sacrifice is an eternity with him. Being a Christian is all about FREEDOM! I pray you accept him today and realize that he did all of this just for you and I. Be blessed and remember, Jesus loves you like crazy! Father, I know that apart from you, I am a lost soul. I am ready to abandon this world and live for you. I accept you as my Lord and savior. I believe you came and died on the cross for my sins and in three days you rose again. I confess my sins to you, known and unknown. I know that I am a sinner in need of a savior. Teach me how to live for you so that I may spend eternity with you. Amen

#faith #Christredeemedusforhisglory