Your Redemption Story – Core Value #3
Why is it that today, in our culture, the word “Redemption” has been reduced to the point that it is only associated with recycled aluminum cans or coupons? It is such a powerful word in the Scriptures. It is a simple concept but when applied to our lives it is overwhelming. It simply means to pay the price for what was once yours in the first place. It is a restoration to how God desired the world in the first place.
God is a redemptive God. The Scriptures are filled with redemption stories and those stories are not to end within its pages. Your story is to reflect this aspect of our Creator as we participate with Him in the redeptive process. “On earth as it is in heaven”
Share a redemptive story with us (your own or another with which you are familiar).
What does it mean for us to participate with God in redemption?
Let’s discuss.
November 10th, 2005 at 8:59 am
Hmmm, no comments? Well, let’s get things started. I really like the idea of redemption being an ongoing process. Instead of just thinking it is something that is going to happen when I die, or am taken to Heaven. I haven’t thought much about redemption in the past, but if we see redemption as an ongoing process, then it allows us to be an active part of God’s plan, not just some little inert (there is a science word for ya Dean) part of it. I also like the thought of the “sick” feeling you get when you lose something, and that this is how God felt after the fall of mankind. It helps me to think about the relationship that He truly wants with us.
In our group Tuesday, Yolanda (forgive me if I mispelled) commented that we appreciate something that was lost, much more when we get it back (redeem). What a great thought! Hard to think that God could love us more than He already does. Hope some of this makes sense, these are just some of the thoughts that are going through my little mind.
November 10th, 2005 at 9:07 am
I just have a short thought that I’ve been rolling around since Tues evening. Shanon commented that God’s redemption is not just to restore us to what there was in the garden, but to bring us to something even better. That is a fresh idea for me, but I think I agree. I’ve been processing through what the ramifications of that might be.
Sorry…I’m not adding any concrete thinking to the conversation…just sharing what is rolling around in my head.
November 10th, 2005 at 10:58 am
I agree with that thought John (and Shanon) because redemption on this end includes our participation with God in the relationship. Before “the fall” or before brokenness entered the world, there was no choice, no participation with God…it just was. I think that there is something incredibly rich about being given the opportunity to join together with God in relationship. He did not shove Himself down my throat.
November 10th, 2005 at 2:37 pm
The picture of redemption in Hosea really grabs me: that God redeeming us is like a man marrying a prostitute and paying a monetary price to buy her out of slavery so that he would have her as his own. But in our case, the price paid was immeasurably higher.
November 10th, 2005 at 6:31 pm
What a cool thing to know that each of us HAS a “redemption story.” I agree with Shanon & John’s comment on God redeeming us to something even greater. What an amazing thought. However, when I ponder this thought, I have this thought of; when does God’s “redeeming grace” end? Or does it? Let me attempt to explain…
As his children, we continue to mess up just as a child does. They make mistakes and are corrected by their parents. The parents show grace and love to the child and the child receives another opportunity. However, there are times when the child learns that his parents may show him/her grace and begins to “take advantage” of that redeeming grace. Either in spite, or in complete defiance and disrespect. I know that God will never turn his back on us. He looks for us on the horizon just as the father looked day and night to the horizon for the prodigal son to return. But do we as broken people KNOW and acknowledge God’s redemption gift, but choose to “put it off till later?” How does God feel about that?
As far as our redemption story…I’m so thankful for that. I’m thankful for yours in that your redemption story is what has shaped, and continues to shape you into the person that you are today. Our experiences in life “flavor” us to be the people that our Father created us to be. He doesn’t want you to be like someone else, he wants you to be YOU! That is what He had in mind when He created you. If you are not YOU, then we miss out on one of God’s beautiful designs.
November 10th, 2005 at 8:04 pm
When I think of redemption, other words and phrases come to mind. Set free. Ransomed. Bought back. The first time I ever participated with God in redemption was when I realized that only Christ had the power to set me free and I accepted His love and His grace and His forgiveness and His offer of salvation. I was redeemed not just from an eternal death, but also from a useless and pointless life here on earth. I had nothing to offer Jesus, but he loved me so much and saw more value in me than I saw in myself. He became real to me and I believed in Him. I gave my life to Him. I cannot imagine walking through this life tied down to sin and earthly endeavors. I have been made completely free of that.
It is a process, though. None of us has even come close to perfection, so evidence of redemption can be seen by all of us every day. I spent almost all of my twenties bound to an eating disorder that I could not escape on my own. After some heartbreaking years of abusing my body, I finally realized Jesus was there the whole time, offering me freedom from that addiction. I gave the struggle to Him and He released me from it. Besides passing control of this part of my life over to Christ, I also participated in the redemption process by working to achieve the kind of healthy lifestyle He desires for me, according to His plan instead of my own. As a result of Christ’s strength, guidance and love along with my efforts, I have lost 115 pounds and have gained a renewed understanding of how to rely on Christ when faced with deep emotional trauma rather than eat.
Christ’s sacrifice and redemptive power made me who I am today and gives me an incredible hope that I could not have by any other means.
November 11th, 2005 at 1:17 pm
I always likened Matthew 13:45-46 to redemption and Christ being the merchant.
Matthew 13:
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
You are bought with a price.
I Corinthians 6:20
Also think about what a pearl is and how it comes to be?????
November 11th, 2005 at 8:27 pm
I like that, Lance. Combine Matthew 13 with Hosea: God saw us as pearls when we were prostitutes … our value in His eyes (pearls), and He knew what He could do with us (make us into pearls)!