“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.”
that you were not redeemed
“Redeemed” means to release on receipt of ransom, free by paying a ransom. People of the first century would release captives solely on receipt of ransom.
“Redeemed” then signifies to set free by the payment of a price. It is that work of God whereby He himself pays a ransom for those held helplessly in captivity to sin.
The price (ransom) is the blood of Christ. Jesus rescues us from our sin by ransom and releases us from the penalty of sin. Redemption is how God accomplishes our salvation.
Due to a lack of funds, someone takes his diamond ring to the pawnshop to exchange it for cash. Because the ring is of such great value, he is unable to repurchase it. His own ring is beyond his means to purchase back. Someone else sees his plight and buys it for him. The friend does it simply because he is a friend and loves him. This is redemption.
There is a dual dimension to redemption: redemption from and redemption to. Redemption is from the law, from the penalty of the law, from sin, from Satan, and from all evil. Redemption is also redemption to new freedom in Christ, a new relationship to God, and new life in Christ.
God redeems us from:
1. the law, Ga 4:4,5; Ro 6:14; 7:4
2. the penalty of the law, Ga 3:13
3. the power of sin, Ti 2:14; Mark 10:45; 1 Pe 1:18,19
4. the power of Satan, 2 Ti 2:26; 2 Co 4:4; Co 2:15
5. all evil, Eph 1:14; He 9:12; Ro 8:23
PRINCIPLE:
God paid the price for our sins.
APPLICATION:
The wages of sin is death. Every sin necessarily subjects the sinner to the wrath of God. God initiated salvation for sinners by redemption from the curse. Until God did this, sinners were of necessity separated from God.
Christ redeemed men from the curse of the law by being “made a curse” for them (Galatians 3:13). We do not pay the penalty for sin. Jesus did. He became a curse for us. He took our hell that we might have His heaven.
God made all the provision in grace. Our part is to accept the finished work of Christ in paying for our sins. We do this by faith. Have you received by faith that Jesus has suffered all that needs to be suffered for your sin? If you have, you have become a Christian. If you have not, will you do it now?
