This is for those of you who may want more information for their witnessing, for those who want to understand better, for those who are new in Christ, but especially for those who are seeking answers to the question ‘what exactly is redemption and is it different from salvation?’
While Salvation and Redemption are closely related, they are in fact slightly different. When we talk or witness to others about Jesus we don’t always go into detail about what redemption is because we are stressing the importance of getting and being saved.
While we do talk about sin to a non-believer and sometimes even expound upon it….there is a process between learning of sin and receiving salvation. That process is learning about redemption…..For some people it is a very quick process, usually within a moment……for others it may take a while to put it all together in their mind and heart…..
Salvation and redemption goes hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other. While most people will in fact put them to the same definition, I will explain the difference and the importance of understanding them.
(I will also be explaining that there are 2 different redemptions that are talked about in scripture. One of them is the day of redemption….and the other one is the redemption of Jesus Christ. For some strange reason people are explaining these as the same thing….but they are not as I will go over below.)
The Lord laid it on my heart to go over this as so very many people are of the belief that they must redeem themselves before Jesus will grant you redemption and salvation. This is a false teaching; as you can and will never be able to redeem yourself from your sins….it’s the same false teaching as the works for salvation doctrine.
While I went over some of this under ‘Understanding salvation’ I will go into a little bit more detail here.
Let’s start first with the definition of Redeem
“compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something); gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment; to release from blame or debt; to free from captivity by paying a ransom; to exchange for something of value; to restore.”
Why do we need to be redeemed?
We as humans are sinners, it doesn’t matter if you believe it or not, all of that is honestly moot, because one day you will know the truth and it will either set you free or you will go into bondage (hell) for your unbelief. Just because you don’t believe in something doesn’t make it not real, or make it not exist.
We are stained and corrupted in our human bodies because of sin. Therefore we are separated from God and His Holiness….And there must be compensation for our sins…..(I will go into more detail on Sin in another blog)
What is the point?
In order to be covered or cleansed from our sins God required a blood sacrifice….in the old testament this was the purpose for sacrificing lambs, rams, and sometimes heifers (depending on what was required)…..and this is why Jesus is always referred to as The Lamb Of God…..
“the next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
In order to be redeemed we must provide a blood sacrifice, however, this is very important….just covering our sins does not redeem us any longer, we must be washed cleaned from all our sins…..so if we as humans could redeem ourselves, how would we?
“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15
You have many teachings and doctrines today that are implying you can redeem yourself by the good deeds you do, or by giving money, praying certain things or a set amount of times….etc.
The point I am making is that a blood sacrifice is required to redeem our sins….and if we have no sacrifice, then we are not redeemed. We cannot redeem ourselves by doing good deeds, if this was the case then the Law and the animals sacrifices would be enough to redeem us, however, we are no longer under the Law, we are under Grace…..
(It has always amazed me that there are people today that try to place themselves under the Law, even knowing that Jesus came to give a new covenant/testament. Hence why the bible is separated into Old and New Testaments…..)
To try to redeem oneself, we would be required to have something cover/cleanse our sins (and since again this was an animal in the Old Testament) what is covering your sins today? If you are applying the Law to your life, what work/deed are you doing that is redeeming you?
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:5
You see, the Law requires both in order to be redeemed…… are you claiming to be your own redeemer?
“For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did: by which we draw nigh unto God.” Hebrews 7:19
Definitions of Redeemer
“Someone who redeems oneself; someone else; or something.”
When you place your faith in your works or deeds, you are in fact claiming you are your own redeemer…..Which in turn is laying claim that you are your own savior…..
To be your own savior/redeemer, you have no need of Christ, so how can you then claim to believe in Him? We as humans (mostly adults) make the bible so complex when it is so very simple to understand. We like to put conditions with everything, because it is how we see life…..
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3
What is Simplicity?
“the quality of condition of being easy to understand or do; the quality or condition of being plain or natural; The state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded; freedom from pretense or quile.”
Why did Paul specifically say, ‘lest your minds should be corrupted?’ if, he did not mean to warn, that false prophets, teachers, doctrines, would come to you teaching a salvation that is hard to understand, confusing, and takes a lot of work?
All thru out bible, scripture is making it very simple and plain to understand…..
- We are all sinners
- None is righteous or perfect
- There must be a blood sacrifice
- We cannot save ourselves
- We need a savior to redeem us
Who is the savior that redeems us? Jesus Christ
“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth;” 1 Peter 2:22
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14
Jesus was born to be our sacrifice…..He was to be the one to pay the ransom, to pay the price for us…..His blood doesn’t cover us, but washes us clean of our sins, because His blood was priceless, it was unstained, it was perfect…..and in His sacrifice, restores us to our rightful place…..
This brings us to the redemption of Jesus Christ
Because Jesus was sinless and perfect…..only He could be our redeemer, our redemption, our salvation.
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Hebrews 5:9
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin:” 1 John 3:5
“forasmuch as ye know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:18-19
What does redemption mean?
“the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil; the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt; an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake, or the state of being redeemed; deliverance; rescue; salvation; Atonement of quilt; repurchase of something sold; paying off a bond, or note.”
The difference of salvation and redemption is our salvation comes from our redemption…..let me explain……
Jesus Christ is our redeemer, He did the work on the cross (the act of shedding blood), and therefore we have our redemption in Him for His action of love, His act of paying off our sin debt, His action of exchanging His life for ours…..
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins;” Colossians 1:14
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Romans 3:24
Only through the redemptive blood sacrifice, can we then receive the salvation that is in Christ Jesus…..His redemption is the action, the deed, the sacrifice……and salvation is the conclusion, the grace, it is the belief in the said action of Jesus Christ on the cross. For only thru the actions of redemption can Salvation be granted to the believer, and only thru salvation can we be redeemed.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians1:7
Therefore, to place your redemption on your own redeeming qualities…..your salvation is in yourself and not Christ.
Redemption is a gift; a gift that we do not have to pay for…..it is our voucher of grace that we have redeemed for our salvation of faith, which redeems us to righteousness thru Jesus Christ.
It Is Finished
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30
When Jesus proclaimed…..’It is finished’…..It meant the redeeming of all sins, there was no more need for sacrifices, for the Law….that His work on the cross brought the fulfillment, the completeness, the accomplishment that the debt is paid for all those that believe in Him…. and it was, is, and will be in effect until the day of redemption.
What is the DAY of Redemption?
Some misunderstandings, false teachers, are confusing people to believe that the day of redemption is the same as receiving salvation, and this is in face incorrect….the Day of redemption is not the same as salvation at all…..
Take a look at a few verses…..
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:14
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for you redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28 (speaking to the Jews, but we saved are looking as well, so we use this verse a well)
“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Romans 8:23
We know from these verses that they are in fact speaking of a different redemption than the redeeming salvation of Christ…..because being sealed until the day of redemption confirms that we already believe in the redemption of Jesus Christ and are saved……..
So The Day of redemption is different and it is the day that all saved believers will receive their glorified bodies…..
This is the day of the rapture, as when we who are alive are caught up, Jesus brings those that have passed on with Him, and we all receive our new glorified bodies…..this completes the redemption, for our bodies will no longer have sin.
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:53
You see, until the day of redemption, we are still corrupt and sinful creatures…..only on this day, will we be fully redeemed….in body, spirit, and soul.
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30
Understanding The Word 