Redemption

"In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of His grace."

~ Ephesians 1:7 ~

Redemption. Such a perfect picture of who our God is and what He has done for us. The Word of God tells us time and time again, that Christ is our Redeemer.

I heard someone say yesterday that as believers we should be more concerned with redemption than with perfection.

How often do we truly think about what this means for us as believing women - The fact that we have been redeemed by Christ?

I do not know that I have ever before been totally head-over-heels in love with a definition out of the dictionary. A passage of Scripture? Yes. A good novel? Yes. But a definition out of the dictionary? Not often - Ok fine, never. I am however, in love with the meaning of redeem.

Redeem - 1a: to buy back: repurchase. 1b: to get or win back 2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt: clear d: to free from the consequences of sin 3: to change for the better: reform 4: repair, restore 5a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b(1): to remove the obligation of by payment (2): to exchange for something of value c: to make good: fulfill 6a: to atone for: expiate b(1): to offset the bad effect of b(2): to make worthwhile: retrieve. Synonyms: rescue, deliver, ransom, reclaim, save.

How about you? Have you been redeemed? If so, are you living the life of a redeemed one? Living as if you have been freed from captivity ... released from debt ... freed from the consequences of sin ... repaired ... reformed ... restored?

Or have you, like many, fallen slave to perfection?

Re-read the above definition for redeem, then ponder the following Scriptures today:

"And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last day He will take His stand on the earth." (Job 19:25)

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us ... " (Galatians 3:13)

"Their Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their case, so that He may bring rest to the earth ..." (Jeremiah 50:34)

You, my dear friend, were fought for. Christ defeated death over your sweet life. You owe your past not one thing - not one obligation, payment, or amount. You are free and clear. Atoned for. Made worthwhile. Ransomed. You are redeemed.

May you live by redemption, sweet one, not by perfection.

I have not been perfected. I have however, been redeemed.

Perfectly Redeemed. By Jesus Christ, my Redeemer.