Redemption

Redemption

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did. He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life.

Titus 3:3-7

When I was a child, my parents collected S & H Green Stamps. The stamps were given for purchases made at various stores, and when a whole book of stamps was filled, it could be redeemed for a gift of the customer’s choice. The formula for redemption was: Purchase + Stamps = Gift.

God’s redemption is surprisingly different. Instead of offering our purchases to God, the things we offer are our foolishness, disobedience, deceit, enslavement, malice, envy, and hatred. Ugh! And what is God’s part? What does he bring to the equation? He shows us kindness and love. Jesus Christ chose to die for us not because of anything good we had done, but because of his mercy. When we believe, he gives us the washing of rebirth and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, treats us as though we hadn’t sinned, and calls us God’s children.

It was this astounding realization that prompted John Newton to pen the words to the song “Amazing Grace.” He was captain of his own slave ship, capturing, selling, and transporting black slaves to plantations in America and the West Indies. On one of Newton’s voyages, he came across Thomas Á Kempis’s book The Imitation of Christ, realized his debauchery, and came to Christ.

As a result he began crusading against slavery and became an Anglican pastor. What an amazing story we can share with our children. What an amazing change God’s redemption brings to our lives!

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind but now I see.