“... Fear not, for I have redeemed you ...”
Isaiah 43:1
Dearly beloved in Christ, I greet You in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has the power to redeem us. He redeems us in a wonderful way and delivers us from all our bondages to lead us in our daily lives with peace and joy. He would guard us as the apple of His eye. He is so loving. Today we have to be redeemed in a number of things. When one has financial needs, he mortgages the gold ornaments. He will have to redeem them at a proper time. If it is not done so, they may be auctioned. Then it would not be possible to redeem them at a later date. In a similar way, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is working to redeem us to be His by several ways. Among them, one happens to be the redemption of the soul. It is said in Psalm 49:8, “For the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever.” But Jesus Christ is faithful to redeem us. From the Bible we come to know clearly how He redeems us from different things.
TYPES OF REDEPTION
1. From Bondage
“but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Deut. 7:8
Today we find people living in various types of bondages. In Titus 3, we read about the bondage of lust, and worldly pleasures. The consequence is bitterness in life. Thus bondage is harmful and hurting. The Bible warns against it: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet 2:11). Further, it cautions us: “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, brings forth death.” (James 1:15). In a man’s life, it can lead to death and curse. In 2 Samuel 11, we read how King David falls a prey to lust. He ought to have gone to the battlefield. But he was roaming on the terrace of the house and watched a woman taking bath. Then there cropped up in him lust and sinful thoughts. Then the curse came upon him: “Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’. . . However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” (2 Sam 12:10, 14). Thus he earned curse for his descendants. Lust, in a man’s life, is the reason for several sufferings. Many are in bondage to it. It was the lust for a fruit that made Eve pluck the fruit of the forbidden tree and eat it. She gave that to her husband, Adam, and as a result, lost the glory of God. This we read in Genesis 3:5, 6. We should be careful in our lives not to become a slave of lust, but get delivered from such bondage. The Lord God is concerned about our deliverance and has done everything for it. His Son Jesus Christ gave His very life to redeem us from such bondage. Some are in bondage to the fear of death. In Hebrews 2:14-15, we read: “. . . that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” The fear of death deters manyfrom doing anything. Jesus Christ delivers us from this fear of death and guards us. This fear is terrible and continues to engulf many. The Bible tells us, “. . . fear involves torment” (1 Jn. 4:18). We should not give room for this fear. Jesus Christ emboldens us. The blood He shed gives us boldness: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). In Psalm 138:3, David says that He “...made me bold with strength in my soul.” Dear Brother/Sister, the Lord God who said, “I redeemed you,” delivers us from all bondages. Galatians 4:3 tells us, “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.” We were subjected to certain traditional practices and the way of the world. We did not know why we did them. We were ignorant but were under bondage to those practices. But the Lord Jesus Christ delivers us from all such cultural traditions and makes us live according to the way of the Bible. He wants us to live according to the living Word. When we submit to live so, He delivers us. Once I was invited by a person to pray in his house. They had no peace in the family and there was always quarrel and fighting among them. There was always a problem of lack. It was a newly built house. They said that it was not a lucky one. It always brought them misfortune. I enquired them what they had buried in the front yard. They replied that they had buried some five precious metals. They had been told that it would bring them prosperity and blessings. This is the way of the world which we should avoid. In another house, I had a vision of a cross buried in a corner. That made one youth of the family commit suicide. Today such devious beliefs lead many to commit such acts which lead them to defeat and grief. The Lord Jesus Christ redeems us from such wrong practices in the society. “ But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.” (Gal. 4:8). Yes, there are people who worship the objects of nature, like the sun and the moon, and stars, believing them to be gods. They worship even lightning and thunder. They seem to be very godly. Even their descendants are not ready to give up those practices of ignorance and superstition. Dear Brother / Sister, the Lord Jesus Christ would deliver you from such practices. He lives. He loves you. He wants to bless you in all areas of life. The one who has borrowed money is under bondage to the one who lent. For financial reasons there are many who have borrowed money and are under bondage. The Lord who redeems will deliver you and give you a blessed life.
2. From Destruction
“Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies” Psalms 103:4
Jesus Christ, the author of life, loves us and guards us as the apple of the eye from all struggles and oppositions, and gives us redemption. I have seen so many incidents in my life that I can never forget. Once in an accident the wheel of a vehicle ran on my hair, but I was unharmed. That day I told my wife that the Lord loves me. I was really surprised how He saved me out of His grace. It gave me much joy. He rescues us from destruction. He shed His very blood and gave Himself as a sacrifice to deliver us; He crowns us with joy. It is our duty to offer our praises and thanks to the Lord. The enemy, Satan, comes around us as a roaring lion to devour us. If we keep Jesus Christ before us, he will run away in shame. Instead of that we keep the things of this world, and as a result, the prince of this world tricks us and makes us suffer. Dear Brother/Sister, even if our days are increased because of strength, it is full of labour and sorrow. Let us give heed to the words of God who preserves us from destruction and be saved. Once a pastor told me about his son that he always did the very opposite of what he told him to do. As I was walking with him and his son, a vehicle came from an unexpected direction and he was about to be hurt. Then he asked his son to jump to the left and he jumped to the right and escaped. Then I asked him why he gave him the wrong advice. Then he said that his son would do only the opposite of what he tells him and so he said so. Dear Brother/sister, the Lord is always merciful. If we act according to His words, He would redeem us from destruction. He delivers from all trying circumstances, from bitter experiences, and even from accidents of various kinds like road accidents, domestic ones of ovens and electrical instruments. In my life, an unforgettable one was that of a snake running over my legs as I was playing in my fifth standard in All Saints School. I was greatly surprised. The Lord saves us from destruction. In some houses the gas-stoves could not be put out and such problems cause anxiety. Jesus Christ would in all such circumstances preserve us and bless us.
3. From Curses
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ”Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)’ Galatians 3:1.
The Lord delivers us from curses. Curses agitate and torment us. It does not stop with an individual alone but continues to harm generations. Curses make life really bitter. The Lord redeems us and wants to bless us. He alone can turn curses to blessings. The Lord Jesus Christ lives, redeems us from destruction and curses.
4. From Sins
“in whom (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colosians 1:14
The Lord Jesus Christ redeems us from sins and makes us to be a part of the Kingdom of God. The Bible says, “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Heb. 9:22). Thus Jesus Christ has already shed His blood to save us from our sins. He pleads for us on our behalf with the Father even now. So we need not be disturbed, but should love Him more and praise Him.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE FOR REDEMPTION?
1. Come into the Presence of the Lord
“ And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” Matthew 15:22.
If we are to be redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and to be joyful in it, we should come to Him. If we come to His presence, He will give us redemption and deliverance. The Canaanite woman continued to pursue Jesus Christ and pleaded with Him for deliverance of his daughter suffering from demon possession. He saw her faith and delivered her daughter and gave her new life. When we come to Him, we can rejoice in His deliverance from evil spirits. So let us come to Him to enjoy the remission of our sins and to live peacefully. Our prayers should be accompanied by our confession of our sins. The Lord hears our prayers; He sees our anguish and suffering; He redeems and works miracles. He would deliver us and bless us.
2. Be Transformed
“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”” Isaiah 43:1
Jacob the created person has been transformed into Israel. That is why the Lord tells him, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you.” Redemption means the mighty act of the Lord by which we are relieved from the punishment of sin. So the redemption that is impossible by human means is made possible by the Lord in our very lives to make us inherit the blessings of peace, happiness and overcoming the acts of the devil. It is a transformation in life. Jacob was one who had no love for his brother. He cheated his own father who was blind. He was filled with the love of this world. He sought them by all means. But in a critical situation he gets transformed. He was left alone. He was in anguish not knowing what his brother would do to him. He was overtaken by fear. Then he sought the favour of the Lord so that he could easily overcome the situation and meet his brother. When we undergo this transformation, He redeems us and moulds us into a vessel acceptable to Him.
3. Repent
“I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22
Without repentance we cannot reach any good blessings. You cannot have redemption. Our sin and iniquity would stand against us preventing the Lord God to do anything to us. So we should realize the sins and those things that stand preventing our access to mercy and give them up. There should be transformation in us. We should have the heart to establish a real relationship with Jesus Christ. That is called repentance - putting a full-stop to old life and making a new beginning. The Lord Jesus Christ expects this change in everyone’s life. When we are convicted of our sins and turn to Christ with a contrite heart confessing them, He blesses us and crowns us with glory and happiness.
4. Be Worthy of His Love
“but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Deut. 7:8
We should be worthy of His love. He loves us. Are we worthy of His love? Mostly we want to please worldly people. There are people who want to please a higher official with expectation and desire for promotion, salary hike, or transfer to a better place. But the Lord Jesus Christ wants to do a great thing in our lives. You need not be worried about anything. He would help you to live a redeemed life. “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Heb. 12:6). As He loves us, He wants to correct us through certain trials and sufferings. He wants to make us rejoice through His redemption and blessings. Romans 8:37 says, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” He gives victory in life to those whom He loves. Jesus Christ today would give you victory in life through His redemption and transformation.
5. Do His Ministry
“The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” (Ps. 34:22).
Yes, the Lord redeems the soul of His servants. We should become His people working for Christ and serving Him through ministry. Mostly we live like others of this world. We think that someone else would proclaim Christ. Not so. Doing ministry pleases the Lord. When we do the deliverance ministry, the Lord is delighted in us and exalts us at all levels. The Lord who is concerned about the priceless souls of people is also mindful of the souls of His servants. He would not let them be depressed or discouraged, but stand with them and guide them. Paul says, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16). Dear Brother/Sister, you can also minister unto Christ. When you are filled with His love, we are moved to do the ministry. Today commit yourself to do something for the Lord and to live for the Lord. Definitely the Lord would establish you in redeemed life, bless and exalt you.
May the Lord bless us!
In the service of Christ,
Bro. C. Ebenezer Paul.
