Thinking that you are not worthy of God’s love? Feeling beyond redemption? How can God forgive your sins? God sees you as Redeemed in Christ!
A favorite camp song from when I went to Bible camp and worked there was, “I’ve Been Redeemed.”
The verses were fun and silly but the chorus spoke God’s truth.
Oh,you can't get to heaven on roller skates. Oh,you can't get to heaven....on roller skates. Oh,you can't get to heaven on roller skates, You'll roll right past those pearly gates. All my sins have been washed away, I've been redeemed.
Whether it is roller skates, washing machines, dirty blue jeans, the only way to heaven is through Jesus, the Lamb.
The chorus:
I've been redeemed (I've been redeemed) by the blood of the Lamb. (by the blood of the Lamb.) I've been redeemed (I've been redeemed) by the blood of the Lamb, I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, oh, and I praise God I am. All my sins are washed away, I've been redeemed. Anonymous Hymn
What does it mean to be Redeemed?
Redemption means to gain something in exchange for payment. And it involves sacrifice.
In Exodus 12, God released the Israelites from slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt. The Israelites needed to put the blood of a lamb on their doorposts and the angel of death would pass over them so their firstborn sons would not die. The lamb needed to be without spot or blemish.
Similarly, Christ was our spotless lamb who died on the cross for us. He redeemed us and paid the ransom with His life.
You were held prisoner by sin and your eternal life was held for ransom. Jesus released you with the payment of His life.
Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV
7 Verses to Know You are Redeemed
There are many verses about redemption in the Bible since it is a core to God’s Grace. These verses are the ones I chose for you.
Soak them up and KNOW that God calls you redeemed. You have worth in God’s eyes and are special to Him!
1. Redeemed from the Curse of the Law
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”
Galatians 3:13 ESV
through faith in Jesus.
The Old Testament is filled with laws. Disobeying a law can have consequences. And if disobedience was considered a crime, the criminal was executed and even publically shamed. This was a promise that was made in Deuteronomy 21:23.
Being executed was one thing. But the person and family were shamed as well.
“Worse than that was being put to death, and to have your corpse left in the open, exposed to shame, humiliation, and scavenging animals and birds.”
David Guzik, Study Guide for Galatians 3.
The corpse was allowed to be brought down that night to be buried. Even in the midst of this public shame, we see God’s mercy.
These laws weighed down the Israelites and can weigh us down, too. But Jesus has redeemed us from this curse of the law. We need to be obedient to God’s laws, but there is no longer a curse held over our heads. Jesus saved us through God’s grace.
2. You are Redeemed through Jesus
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Ephesians 1:7 ESV
Through God’s grace, you can receive God’s redemption through the blood of Jesus. His life paid the ransom for your sin and the debt has been paid in FULL!
3. God promises Redemption
But it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:8 ESV
God promised the Israelites that He would care for them and redeem them from slavery. He loved them and made a promise to their forefathers. So God did as He said he’d do. He redeemed them from slavery.
Similarly, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God has redeemed us. It is a promise that is kept.
He kept it for Israel. He will do it for us.
4. A Redeeming Savior for the Jews
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.
Luke 1:68 ESV
Upon the Birth of John the Baptist, Zechariah prophesied that God had visited earth and redeemed Israel. He sent a Savior. That Savior came from the house of David and was Jesus!
5. A Redeeming Savior for the Gentiles
So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:13-14 ESV
Not only did Jesus come for the Jews, but He also came for all Gentiles – which includes you and me! We can receive Jesus and the Holy Spirit by faith (see more on this in Romans 4). We are all part of the blessing Abraham received that many families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3).
6. God calls you by Name
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 ESV
God wants all of us to have a relationship with Him. He even calls us by name. You are not just a number. He knows you personally and by your name. How comforting to know we have a personal God!
7. The Redeemed Share about Jesus with Others
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.
Psalm 107:2 ESV
The Lord is with us and redeems us from trouble. When that happens, we should share that news with others around us. Let us all ‘say so’!
You are Redeemed Reflection Thoughts
- If you don’t know the redemption of Jesus, you can find out more about that here.
- Of these 7 verses above, what verse means the most to you and why? Spend time in prayer thanking God for sending His Son to be the ransom and redeem you.
- Deeper study: Read Romans 4. Write down what you learn about Abraham and how that applies to you as well.
- What one thing can you do or say today to help others hear about God’s redeeming love for you and them?
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Your Identity in Christ
You are redeemed is another attribute of identity in Christ. Check out these other posts about how God sees you: loved, blessed, adopted, sealed, and children of God.
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