There are three doctrinal / theological terms which are
often confused.
(1) Redemption is a bookkeeping term,
and has to do with the sinward aspect
of the death on the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is the transaction by which God
undertook the cancelling of man’s
sin.
(2) Propitiation is a legal term,
and has to do with the Godward aspect
of sin. It refers to the acceptance by God of this great transaction of His
Son’s payment for our sin through which God is satisfied with the work of Christ.
(3) Reconciliation is a relational term
somewhat similar to “atonement” in the Old Covenant. This is the manward aspect of the work at Calvary
through which we are positioned in a place of acceptance because of the work of Christ.
The word “redemption” or “redeem” means to buy back and set
free. In our society you redeem something from a pawn shop. In regard to the
salvation of a soul there is redemption by blood, redemption by power, and redemption
through the Word of God. We see these three aspects in the first chapter of 1
Peter.
Redemption
by Blood ~ This is
the work of the Son. “Knowing that you were not
redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless
conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19 – also see Ephesians
1:7, Acts 20:28, and Hebrews 9:12).
Redemption
by Power ~ This is the work of the Father. “Knowing
that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from
your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers but with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He
indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in
these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your
faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:18-21).
Redemption
through the Word
~ This is the work of the Holy Spirit. “Since
you have purified your souls in obeying
the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of
the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the Word of God
which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:22-23 – also see Ephesians
1:13-14, 4:30, and Romans 8:23).
There is redemption by blood through the work of Jesus
Christ on the Cross, redemption by power through God the Father, and redemption
through the Word of God being utilized by the Spirit of God in our hearts. These great fundamental truths should be clearly
stated in every presentation of the Gospel—the “Good News” for everyone.
the “good news” ~ “But now the righteousness
of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the
Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all
and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His
blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His
forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to
demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and
the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans
3:21-26).
~
Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW
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