Redemption. Reconciliation. Restoration.
Romans 3 v 24–25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Redemption. Noun
The action of regaining possession of something, or gaining possession of something, in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.
synonyms: retrieval,recovery,reclamation,repossession,recoupment,return,rescue;
Redemption: Greek apolutrōsis. ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis
From a compound of G575 and G3083; (the act) ransom in full, that is, (figuratively) riddance, or (specifically) Christian salvation: - deliverance, redemption.
I remember as a little boy, going to the pawnshop to retrieve something that my mother had pawned. I had a ticket and handed it over the counter with some money and the pawnbroker gave me back the item that had been pawned. I was redeeming the item. I was buying it back.
If it wasn’t bought back in a set time, it would “run out” and would then be unredeemable.
What is Redemption in the Christian sense?
The action of saving, or being saved from sin, error, or evil. "God's plans for the redemption of his world"
We will look at three points concerning redemption.
Redemption that is Revealed.
Redemption that Reconciles.
Redemption that Restores.
Redemption Revealed:
Greek: apokaluptō. (to reveal by taking the cover off)
When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple. God revealed Jesus as the Messiah. God took the lid off.
Luke 2:29-38. “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,
37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Redemption was being revealed.
Jesus revealed to the Apostle Paul.
Paul who was a God fearing man but had not seen God the Father in Christ Jesus. Then Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road and revealed Himself to him but it is interesting how Paul puts it. Jesus didn't only reveal Himself to Paul but also in Paul.
It wasn't just an academic knowledge of Jesus but a real personal relationship with Jesus.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Jesus revealed to each one of us as Christians.
Jesus Christ being revealed to us, is not just an academic knowledge about someone who lived a long time ago. It is a personal experience of God in the flesh, it is a revelation that God came down in Christ to save us personally. It is a revealing of the fact that we can have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
It goes beyond the natural into the spiritual, beyond sense knowledge into revelation knowledge. When revelation knowledge breaks through you will never be the same again!
John 1:13 Who are born not of the will of the flesh or of the will of man but of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
It is not just knowing about Jesus Christ but knowing Jesus Christ.
John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life.
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
Colossians 1:27-28 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
When God visits us through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, He put three desires in our hearts.
He gives us a desire for a revelation of the Christ to us!
He gives us a desire for a revelation of the Christ in us!
He gives us a desire for a revelation of the Christ through us!
Colossians 1:26-28 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
God is revealed in nature.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
The word “shewed” here is the same word for “revealed”
Greek - apokaluptō - ap-ok-al-oop'-to
From G575 and G2572; to take off the cover, that is, disclose: - reveal.
Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Isa 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
God is revealed in Jesus Christ
Hebrews 1:1,2 God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds .
Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father
except the Son, and he to whom the Son wills to reveal him .
John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he (Christ) has made him known.
Colossians 2:9 For in him (Christ) the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
God is revealed in the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
God is revealed in the good works of His saints.
We see God revealed in the good works of His believers who have trusted in Christ. Whenever a Christian does a work for God, they are revealing the nature of God to the unbelieving world.
The old hymn says "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, all HIs wondrous compassion and purity".
Psalms 9:1; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
Jonah 3:10; And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
The object of our good works in Christ is to reveal Christ to the world.
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
2 Cor 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Redemption that Reconciles.
We have seen the meaning of Redemption.
To liberate by payment of a ransom. To set free by force. To save, rescue. To clear, release from debt or blame.
To expiate, atone (for ...)
Reconcile is something quite different.
Meaning: To bring into a friendly relationship; to bring back to harmony. To reconcile people who have quarrelled.
To make things compatible or consistent. To reconcile differences.
The word “reconcile” means “to change a Relationship Completely.” For example; if a husband and wife are at war with each other, they need to be
reconciled. The relationship is not right and there needs to be a restoration to friendship and fellowship. Instead of being “at war” there needs to be a complete change in the relationship so that they can be “at peace” with each other. Often both parties are wrong and both need to change in order to restore a right relationship.
Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were Reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being (now) reconciled, we shall be saved by his life
Psalm 7:11 God is angry with the wicked every day.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he (God the Father) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; (so) that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
God has never changed His attitude towards sin. God hates sin and God must judge sin. Because our sin was placed on Jesus and because God’s anger fell upon Jesus Christ, our Substitute, God is able to reconcile us unto Himself.
2 Cor. 5:18-20 “And all (these) things are of God, who ‘hath reconciled’ us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing (not counting) their trespasses (sins) unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of ‘reconciliation.’
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye ‘reconciled to God.”
So, we are reconciled to God the Father by the redemption of our souls through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. We were bought with a price, which brought us into a right relationship with God.
Restored.
To Redeem is to recover ownership by paying a price.
To Reconcile is to bring into a right relationship.
To Restore is to re-establish, to bring back into existence.
Restore: bring back or re-establish (a previous right, practice, or situation).
synonyms: reinstate, put back,, bring back, reinstitute, reimpose, ,,-establish, to a former position/state.
Return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position.
repair or renovate (a building, work of art, etc.) so as to return it to its original condition.
Synonyms: repair,,,,,,,,remodel,make over,;
Redemption is instant, When we are born again it happens instantaneously.
Reconciliation happens the moment we believe the Gospel.
However, Restoration is a lifelong process.
Just because we have been saved, by the redemption of our soul. Just because we have been Reconciled to God, being brought into a right relationship with Him, doesn’t mean that we are instantly restored to health.
We are given a new heart and a new life but this is only the beginning. From the moment of our new birth, we need to be nourished, to grow in our faith.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
1 Peter 2: 2, 3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
You may have experienced a relationship with a family member or spouse or friend and they hurt you deeply and you chose to stay in the relationship, but it takes time to allow the trust and confidence you once had in that person to return.
God’s plan for you isn’t to save you to alter your behaviour. His plan for you is to redeem you to restore your heart….to make all things new.
Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Let’s pray for God to retake ownership of us.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
To restore us, means to sanctify us.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
Redemption. Reconciliation. Restoration.
Redeemed: saved from sin and death, error, and evil.
Reconciled: brought into a right relationship with God through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
Restored: Re-established, Reinstated, brought back into existence. Changed and being changed through sanctification.
