Work and Worship

Redemption isn’t a commodity

Redemption is not a commodity.

We are desperate for change.
Broken people–which is all of us–want change. Devastated by sin done against us and despairing in sinful responses; we desire to be redeemed from it all. We want free from pain, suffering, and condemnation. For Christians, change is linked to repentance. Our brokenness translates in to godly sorrow, which brings heart change. We desire to be different. We want to be like Jesus. We don’t want to sin. In most cases, change happens slowly.  Slowly, our thoughts, motives, desires, and behaviors are altered by the Holy Spirit, as we trust God to change us.

When a believer is stuck in a rut, there is a frustration with self. We take a look at ourselves and fixate on the problem. A solution is in order.  Anxiously, we survey the “self help” options like an overweight person peruses the diet ads. Motivated by wanting a fix for our broken self, we shop around. Redemption, then, becomes a desirable product to be purchased. Like an infomercial, we are inspired by the before and afters, hoping and coveting results. Except, it isn’t weight loss that we are after, it is our hearts that need changed.

You can’t buy redemption.
Redemption is about the Redeemer, but so easily we make it about the result of being loved by the Redeemer, which results in redemption. We want his gifts often more than Jesus, himself. Redemption isn’t a commodity; it is an experience of the transforming power of the gospel. One can want redemption, but it begins and ends with wanting Jesus. It is a subtle yet significant difference too see people thirsty for redemption more than craving the redeemer for lasting satisfaction. There is a complex temptation to focus on being changed rather than fixing our heart’s gaze on Christ.

The self-aware man that finds himself frustrated and in a perplexing cycle of condemnation and temptation wants out. He wants change. He might be tempted to be more curious about analysis than repentance and relationship with Christ. The people-pleaser gal that finds herself never measuring up to the expectations of everyone in her life, might be tempted to dutifully work out her change process instead of focusing on Jesus who is already pleased. The lonely abused man wants healed, yet the only lasting satisfaction is being known by God. Wanting redemption more than wanting God is a common and often overlooked delusion.  Because God loves us beyond our comprehension, we can’t fathom the scope of redemption that is available, in Christ. Like, missing the tree in the forest, our vision is blurred when we miss Christ amidst the redemption. We can’t bring redemption to ourselves or muster up change. We need a miracle.

Jesus bought miraculous redemption.
You are already loved. Redemption is as certain as Christ’s resurrection. As heart change happens, so can our realization of the miracle that occurs. Jesus died in our place, for our redemption. His blood was shed so that ours wouldn’t have to be. He endured the cross so that we wouldn’t have to pay the penalty for sin. Often, we stumble through life ignoring this miracle of redemption. Instead, we work for our own redemption. Before we know it, we’ve put God on the sidelines in the game we play of  becoming a “better person.” Change is inevitable, as the Holy Spirit is given room to transform us. Repenting to Jesus ignites the grace that God freely gives us. Our hearts are changed because God intends for us to become more like Jesus.  Jesus is our redemption.

It is ALL grace.
Tempted to “fix ourselves,”(which is impossible) we focus on the “change process,” instead of the “changer” himself. His grace makes redemption possible.

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.

We can’t muster up the courage to change ourselves. We need a miracle. God has promised us that he is faithful to redeem us because he lavishes grace upon us. Through the blood of Jesus, we are changed, we are loved.

Believing that God’s grace is abounding; we need—we have to believe— and remind others to not be dazzled by the change process, but to fix our eyes on Jesus wholeheartedly. Jesus already bought redemption for us, and we can stand in confidence. He has lavished his love upon us. We can gaze at his face, changed by his grace and believe that he will (eventually) change us into his image.