The church is full of testimonies of lives turned around. A homeless alcoholic finds Jesus, gets sober, and eventually opens a homeless shelter. A heroin addict meets Jesus, gets clean, and starts to mentor at-risk teens.
A lifelong criminal hears the gospel, stops breaking the law, and moves to Africa to serve on the mission field. We may not all have such dramatic stories to tell, but if we are followers of Jesus, we can (and, according to Psalm 107:2, we should) each stand up and claim, “I have been redeemed!”
The verb redeem in Hebrew means to purchase or buy back something (or someone). When an ancient Hebrew became enslaved, it was customary for the next of kin to play the part of a “redeemer” and pay the necessary price to purchase the relative’s freedom.
The Bible says our God does that for us. Redeemer is one of His names. He created us to glorify Him. As such, we belong to Him. But because of sin, we are slaves (Romans 6:20).
And we would remain in that desperate state if it weren’t for Jesus. On the cross, Jesus bought us out of slavery and set us free. He redeemed us.
God redeems people. That’s what He does because that’s who He is. Just as He redeemed the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, He delivers us—from guilt, from fear of punishment, from the penalty of death, and from our own foolish desires.
What would happen if we all walked around mindful of the truth that we’ve been purchased out of slavery? Surely we would live with a holy excitement, a contagious zeal.
If you feel bogged down, tired, or stressed out, renew your mind with the knowledge that God is your Redeemer. If you know Christ through faith, you have been bought, and Jesus paid the price.
You have been redeemed and set free.
Choose to walk in that freedom. And then share the good news of your redemption. Heed the words of Psalm 107:2: “Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story.”
What’s the most powerful example of redemption you have seen?
