From Sinners to Saints
A Story Of Redemption
The story of redemption tears me up each time I meditate on it…
Let’s start with the definition of redemption:
“rɪˈdɛm(p)ʃn/
The action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.”
Can you believe that out of all the religions in the world, Christianity is the only religion which emphasizes a single God who embodies qualities such as love, forgiveness, a desire for relationship with humans, and redemption.
Other religions and philosophies need a variety of deities to accomplish this, but our God is a Sovereign, Good, Graceful, Merciful, Boundless in Love, Forgiving and Redemptive God.
Besides God giving up His only Son for us, redemption is in my humble opinion, is the most beautiful testimony of God’s love for us.
To be redeemed after forgiveness means to experience a complete restoration and transformation through the grace and mercy of God:
Forgiveness: Forgiveness involves God pardoning our sins and releasing us from the guilt and eternal consequences of our wrongdoing. This forgiveness is made possible through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins on the cross.
Redemption: Redemption goes beyond forgiveness. It signifies being bought back or rescued from the power of sin and its effects. Jesus' death and resurrection not only forgive our sins but also redeem us from bondage to sin, offering us freedom and a new life in Him.
Transformation: Through redemption, we are transformed into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation involves a renewed relationship with God, empowerment by the Holy Spirit to live according to God's will, and the assurance of eternal life with God.
Purpose and Identity: Redeemed individuals find their true identity and purpose in God's kingdom. They are seen as beloved children of God, adopted into His family, and empowered to live a life that reflects His grace and love to others.
Here we can see how to be redeemed after forgiveness is to experience not just the removal of guilt but also the restoration of relationship with God, the empowerment to live a holy life, and the assurance of eternal salvation. It is a profound concept central to Christian faith, emphasizing God's transformative work in the lives of believers through His Son, Jesus Christ.
As humans, we are flawed, prone to mistakes, and burdened by sin. Yet, in His infinite mercy, God doesn’t just forgive us; He longs for a relationship with us, to redeem us, and to see us as saints.
Think about it: we deserve the punishment for our sins. Every mistake, every wrong turn—each one carries its weight of consequence. But God, in His boundless grace, did something extraordinary. He laid upon Jesus Christ the punishment that we rightfully deserved. Jesus, innocent and blameless, bore the weight of our sins on the cross, dying the death of a sinner so that we could live the life of a saint.
God didn’t just stop at forgiveness. He didn’t merely wipe the slate clean and move on. No… He went further. Through Christ’s sacrifice, He offers us not just forgiveness but also redemption. He sees us through the lens of His Son’s righteousness, as if we had lived a sinless, spotless life like Jesus did.
Imagine that: God sees us, flawed and imperfect as we are, as saints. He sees the potential for holiness in each of us, not because of our own deeds but because of what Jesus did for us. This is the miracle of grace—where our sins are exchanged for Christ’s righteousness, where our past is redeemed and our future is filled with hope.
Through Jesus, we are not just forgiven sinners; we are transformed saints. We are invited into a new life, marked by grace, where our identity is defined by God’s love and our purpose is to reflect His glory. It’s a journey of surrender, of embracing His mercy, and of living in the freedom that comes from knowing we are deeply loved and fully accepted.
God’s love knows no bounds. He sees you as His beloved child, cherished and redeemed through the sacrifice of His Son. May this knowledge fill you with as much awe and gratitude as it’s filled me, and may it inspire you to live boldly as a saint, empowered by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." – 2 Corinthians 5:21
From saint to saint,
Luna x