Faith
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son. So whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16. Every true believer in Christ will tell you that this is the foundation for their salvation. If we received salvation, where does redemption come into this discussion? The Webster’s Dictionary defines salvation as: 1: deliverance from the power and effects of sin. 2: The agent or means that effects salvation. 3: Christian Science: the realization of the supremacy of the infinite Mind over all bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness and death.
This is how most of us would describe salvation. Most of us believe that you received salvation when you get “saved.” Salvation is the heart and soul of a Christians beliefs. It is everything that we have been taught since Bible School. We were told through John 3:16, that we could be “saved” by accepting Jesus Christ as the one and only son of God, and that Jesus died for us to receive the salvation that his dying provided.
This is how a majority of Christians would sum up how we are able to be washed in the blood of the Lamb and receive eternal life.
If salvation, is the centerpiece of our faith and beliefs, how does redemption play a part in that salvation? Or is it something totally separate from salvation. Let us take a look at the meaning of salvation as defined in the Oxford Dictionary.
Redemption is defined as: 1: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil: God’s plan for the redemption of his world [in singular] a thing that saves someone from error or evil: his marginalization from the Hollywood jungle proved to be his redemption. 2: the action of regaining possession in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.
So you can see that redemption is also the “act” of being saved. We can therefore assume, that based upon the two definitions that salvation and redemption as closely related. One (redemption) is the actual act of being saved. Compared to salvation, is one’s deliverance from “sin.”
With the Oxford’s definition of redemption, we can plainly see that you can seek redemption from just about anything. You can be redeemed from being addicted to a drug , alcohol, or any number of things. However, the actual experience of salvation will only come once. This is not to say that cannot seek redemption more than once.
Each of us is afforded the ability to seek out redemption at any time we may need it. As Christians, we are fortunate enough to realize the distinct difference between salvation and redemption. You simply cannot have one without the other.
Our belief in God has given us the chance to be cleansed of all our sins. We can wipe the slate clean, and start anew. Therefore, if you believe in God one knows that you need both salvation and redemption. We have taken a clear look into both salvation, and redemption. From that observation, we can conclude that redemption must come before salvation.
As we continue our walk with God, strive to live up to the supreme sacrifice that Jesus made for us. All of us will “break rank” or falter during our Christian journey. We will all seek redemption from our sins, our flaws in character, or our lack of faith. Jesus has made that possible by his death on the cross.
Go out today, and find someone and tell them that you love them. Sit down and explain how one can seek redemption and salvation through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as their savior. For that is our duty as Christians. May God bless you all.
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