Page 12 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

The streets of heaven will be filled with former captives who, through no merit of their own, find
themselves redeemed, forgiven, and free. Slaves to sin have become saints. No wonder we will sing a
new song—a song of praise to the Redeemer who was slain (Revelation 5:9). We were slaves to sin,
condemned to eternal separation from God. Jesus paid the price to redeem us, resulting in our freedom
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from slavery to sin and our rescue from the eternal consequences of that sin.

Redemption is Totally from God.

The process of the redemption of mankind was totally planned and initiated by God before the creation
of the universe. It was His work; mankind had nothing to do with it. The Bible says that the Lamb
(Jesus) was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8 and I Peter 1:19-20). It was planned before
time began (2 Timothy 1:9). God, according to his foreknowledge choose those “in Christ” before the
foundation of the world (Eph 1:4). Even the church was a part of God’s eternal purpose (Eph. 3:10-11).
God designed Heaven and prepared it before the foundation of the world to be a place for redeemed
souls (Matthew 25:34). Therefore, as we can see, God planned the progress of redemption before He
created time. Throughout history, He has revealed His plan progressively, a little bit at a time.

The Purpose of Redemption is to bring Salvation to Mankind.

God’s gift of salvation is deliverance from sin and its consequence. We know from what God told Adam
that the consequence of sin was death. We also know that all of Adam’s progeny inherited a nature to
sin. Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to pain and frustration in two basic areas of fulfillment—
relationships and meaningful work. The whole earth fell under sin’s curse, and all people born since then
have entered the world with a sin nature that alienates them from God.

That first rebellion plunged humanity into a terrible condition. Civilization is now plagued by
ramifications of the sins committed by millions of human beings throughout the ages. Is it any wonder
the world is in such sad shape? Sin not only causes suffering; it also robs us of God’s best. The Garden of
Eden is closed and locked to sinful mankind.

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have
hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (ESV)

The parable of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Son (prodigal son) help us understand that because of
man’s sin, he is lost. Jesus said he came “to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11).

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Being “lost” has three dimensions of time in a person’s life.

1. The Past – being “lost” means being burdened and effected by the failures and sins of a
person’s past life or others. As Paul says in Romans 2:14, 15

14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having
the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their
conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them. (NASB)

4 https://www.gotquestions.org/redemption.html (Used by permission)
5 http://www.marketfaith.org/what-does-it-mean-to-be-lost

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