“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
Let´s find out today about two terms that we use a lot but don’t always understand completely: redemption and adoption.
The word redeem means “to buy out.” The term was used specifically in reference to the purchase of a slave’s freedom. The application of this term to Christ’s death on the cross is quite telling. If we are “redeemed,” then our prior condition was one of slavery. God has purchased our freedom, and we are no longer in bondage to sin or to the Old Testament law. Jesus paid the price for our release from sin and its consequences. His death was an exchange for our lives. In fact, Scripture is quite clear that redemption is only possible “through His blood,” that is, by Jesus’ death (Colossians 1:14).
When we hear the gospel, confess our sins, and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are at that moment born into God’s kingdom. We are adopted as His children and become heirs with God for eternity (Romans 8:14-17).
We are set free. We are made heirs.
Those two concepts should influence the way we live. Are we living like we’re free from sin? Or are we still slaves to the bondage of it? Are we living as heirs? As daughters with rights and obligations within the family? Or are we living as we please, but trying to enjoy the inheritance? Let´s check today if these two concepts have soaked into our minds and hearts and let´s make them a part of our Christmas celebration.
Almighty God, I know I’m Your daughter – You, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Help me live every day as Your adopted daughter. Help me remember that my redemption came at the great cost of a glorious exchange. Amen.
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I agree that Jesus “redeemed” us so that we are no longer “slaves” to sin, and we are not “slaves” to the OT. However, Jesus never taught against the Old Testament. In fact, He called people to live by it, just as He did both before and after His crucifixion. Careful reading shows that what He did speak against was the rabbinic teachings of the day. The rabbis has created their own ‘fence laws’ as a means of making sure that people didn’t break one of the Torah commandments. Through all of their (the rabbis) man-made ‘laws’, they had created a burden that was too heavy for the people to keep. Jesus called the people out of the man-made laws and back to God’s instructions – Torah. Torah means instruction, not ‘law’. God’s instructions are what allow us to live righteous lives. They also tell us how to worship Him in a way that is accepted by Him. Not all of the commandments apply to every person. Not all of them apply to today. Jesus did not start a new religion either. Jesus did not teach anything contradictory to God’s instructions found in the first five books of the Bible. Jesus and God the Father are one and the same (John 14:7, John 5:19-20). If Jesus taught different from God, that would be going against the Father. According to Matthew 12:25-26, “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” Just something for you to think about.