The Redemption Option

The Redemption Option

Suppose you are strapped for cash and you decide to pawn your favorite diamond ring. The way the pawn shop process works (so they tell me) is that you take in your ring. The pawn shop owner appraises it. Then, he offers to loan you a certain amount of cash based on his appraisal. He then keeps your ring and you go off on your way with the cash.

The key, though, to this whole transaction is that the only reason you take it to a pawn shop instead of selling it out right on eBay is because you reserve the right to be able to buy it back. It is still precious and valuable to you. While you felt that you were forced to part with it for a moment, you cannot stomach the thought of having to lose it forever. Thus, even though you will have to pay back the cash with interest, you reserve the right to redeem your diamond. God’s redemption operates in a similar way. Paul describes himself in his letter to the Romans this way: “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” (Romans 7: 14) In some cases, our freedom has been forfeited by our own actions. In other cases, we have lost our liberty due to the actions of others. Then, as human beings, we are all in bondage due to the mere fact that we were born on this side of the Garden of Eden. Either way, we are in hock. We are under the control of a foreign power and are not living with or in right relationship to our rightful and original owner – who is God.

The redemption option is a part of our believer’s benefit package where God reserves the right and has exercised that right to buy us back through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Before we leave this, please pay attention to the fact that God redeems our “life” not just our “soul.” We often put so much emphasis on saving souls that we forget God not only saves souls, but God also saves lives. He redeems or save lives from destruction, from misdirection, from detours, from danger and even from death.

The redemption option reminds us that though we may be in bondage, we can be bought back. Indeed, many of us have already been. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (I Corinthians 6: 19-20) – Now: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so… (Psalm 107: 2)

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