The Place of Redemption (Romans 3:24)

We are focusing this week on the importance and privilege of being in Christ. It is, indeed, the most important place you can be on earth. Last night we saw that in Christ is where all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3). For the rest of the week, I want to consider specific blessings that we have in Christ. Listen to what Paul says in Romans three.

Romans 3:24 (KJV)
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Redemption is a great word. In English we usually use the word from the standpoint of being atoned for something, and it is always used in a positive way. Whether it is a troubled youth who uses bad judgment and gets his life into a mess, but then recovers and redeems himself, or the story of someone whose reputation is ruined by lies and falsehoods, but in the end, he is found not guilty and is redeemed; the story of redemption always ends wells. The biblical words for redemption certainly contain this element of atonement, but the basic meaning behind them is the act of being bought, and it is always being bought by someone else. In other words, spiritually speaking, man never redeems himself, but instead is redeemed by God.

There are three Greek words for redemption. The first word is found in 1 Corinthians 6:20 and is translated bought. Strong says it means, “to go to market to purchase.” This word only carries the idea of buying something without indicating what the buyer plans to do with that which is purchased. The second word is found in Galatians 3:13 and is translated redeemed. Strong says it means, “to rescue from loss.” Now we start to see, not just the idea of buying, but also what the purchaser plans to do with that which is bought. He is on a rescue mission. The third word is found in Romans 3:24, as well as many other places, and is translated redemption. Strong says it means, “Deliverance on account of the ransom paid…” What was the ransom paid? The blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7).

So then, when we put all these words for redemption together, we find that we have, not just been bought, we have been rescued. And, not only have we been rescued, we have been rescued at a very high price, that is, the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. What is the result of this? The result is the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14). Now, what is the result of having our sins forgiven? The result of that is that we are sin-free! I did not say we are sinless. John tells us if we say that, we are just deceiving ourselves (1 Jn. 1:8). No, I am talking about how we appear in the eyes of God. When God forgives us of our sins, He remembers them no more (Hebrews 10:16-17). That’s what happened to each one of us when we became Christians. God took away our sins and cast them into oblivion. Now, we appear before Him as if we have never sinned, and as long as we remain faithful to God, this is how Jesus will deliver us to Him in the end. We will appear before God “holy and blameless and above reproach” (Colossians 1:22). This is the blessing of being in Christ. By the blood of Jesus, our sins have been taken away and we have been justified, that is, declared not guilty. Yes, in truth, we are all guilty, but in heavens court we have been acquitted. Now it is as if we haven’t committed the crime. That is what redemption is all about, and it can only be attained in one place—the most important place on earth—IN CHRIST!

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.