p. 9 | Embraced in Redemption by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 4, 1916

Embraced in Redemption

By John Norton Loughborough

By J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

WEBSTER defines “redemption” as “deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin, and from the penalties of God’s violated law”; and “redeem,” “to purchase back; to regain possession at a stipulated price; to re-purchase; to rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God’s law.—‘Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.’ Gal. 3: 13.”

SOLD TO DO EVIL

The Scriptures represent mankind as “under sin,” sold to do evil, and that with no profit. Of idolatrous Israel we read that they “sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger.” 2 Kings 17: 17. Isaiah said to them, “Ye have sold yourselves for naught; and ye shall be redeemed without money.” Isa. 52: 3. Of his own experience Paul said, “I am carnal, sold under sin.” Rom. 7: 14.

The work of grace Paul said was to “redeem us from all iniquity” (Titus 2: 14), “to redeem them that were under the law” (Gal. 4: 5). Of such the psalmist said, “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” Ps. 49: 7.

REDEMPTION FROM DEATH

Mortality to the whole race was the result of Adam’s transgression, and death is the future penalty for the personal sins of men; but the Lord said, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.” Hosea 13: 14. As mankind are “sold under sin,” they must be bought—the ransom price paid—before they can be redeem. No man can give to God the ransom price for his fellow man, so the price must be paid by some one superior to man, and not in the same condition as man. The apostle said: “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6: 19, 20. “He that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Cor. 7: 22, 23.

This is how it was accomplished: “Christ . . . gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world.” Gal. 1: 3, 4. He “loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2: 20. Christ shed His blood—which is the life—gave His life, for our forfeited life, that He might redeem us. So our redemption is “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 3: 24. “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold; . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1: 18, 19.

So “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph. 1: 7. See also Gal. 1: 4. The praise ascribed in heaven, by the representatives of all the finally saved, is, “Thou . . . hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Rev. 5: 9.

A NEW EARTH INVOLVED

In this redemption work, not only recovery from sin and death, but also the restoration of Eden, and a new—renewed—earth, are involved. To the believers it is said, “After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest [pledge] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” Eph. 1: 13, 14.

On this we note the statement made to the Romans: “We know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Rom. 8: 22, 23. When all promised in the redemption is accomplished, it can indeed be said of Christ that He has “obtained eternal redemption for us.” Heb. 9: 12.

How sad that, in this very time when Christ is about to complete this glorious restoration for His people, “higher critics” should be “denying the Lord that bought them”! 2 Peter 2: 1.