Redemption

How should redemption impact how we live this side of heaven?

By Claiming Our Inheritance.

Redemption means released from ransom. As the late poet/singer Bob Marley sung, “We march forward triumphantly by the hand of the Almighty; “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery none but ourselves (individual) can free our minds.

Biblical scholars and theologians say we must fulfill the book (bible). Yes. The spiritual quickening of man on the human plane and his (her) transformation into the divine: not by a miracle or the fiat of God, but by the gradual refinement of the man (woman) of flesh into the man of Spirit. As Paul taught, “This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

Spiritually by grace, redemption, has been granted, naturally (man/woman) in this plane, redemption suggests that we are capable to enter light. Our true condition is dark (disobedience in the lust of flesh and mind) captivated in bondage.

Act 26:18 commissioned Paul to “open their (our) eyes from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God; to receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among those who have been sanctified in faith through Jesus.

Romans 7:14 (KJV), Paul says, “we know the law is spiritual; I am carnal; sold as a slave to (under) sin.” We are all slaves of Satan by nature but some of us are respectable sinners and some are unrespectable sinners but ultimately there is no real difference between the two (Prince, 2021).

By Jesus dying (the blood), HE bought us out of Satan’s dominion and out of Satan’s slave market. Ephesians 1:7 (KJV),‘we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God’s grace. Our redemption was paid for by the blood of Jesus which obtained the forgiveness of our sins. He bore the sins in our place that we might be forgiven.’ Thus, we inherited the saints in light.

Peter 1:17-18, beautifully describes, ‘if you address the Father as the One who impartially Judges according to each man’s work; conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth, knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers but with precious blood as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

I believe we are here to live the resolute faith; develop and cultivate a character (nature) of the lamb (purity, meekness, and a life made dove (loving) for restoration. Even during intense deception, cruelty, savagery, or death, we must decide which nature to choose (Beast or Lamb)? The dove (Holy Spirit) is with these persons of lamb nature (saints of light). Behaving (thinking) responsibly, ethically, compassionate, and of service to family and community.

Our counsel as Paul says in Thessalonians, is to “watch and be sober,’ because that day will come as a thief in the night. Those best prepared for the return (The Lord), are those who continue to live in trust of God and whose faith is active in love and compassion.

May we march forward triumphantly. And none but ourselves can free our minds from bondage only with assistance of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus through us. Redemption is accomplished (spiritually) and man (woman) has yet completed full restoration here (earthly).

References 

Chute, A. (2020). What is redemption? The important meaning for Christians from the Bible. Cross Walk. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-is-redemption.html 

King James Bible. (2020). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769)

Marley, B. (1975). Bob Marley & the Wailers-Redemption Song [Video]. You Tube https://youtu.be/yv5xonFSC4c.

Prince, D. (2021). Claiming our inheritance – Part 1 of 10: Deliverance through redemption [Video]. You Tube. https://youtu.be/aZjWz37naJw