Grace Notes – Gracious Redeemer
“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth. [Isa. 44:6; 48:12.] And after my skin, even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God, Whom I, even I, shall see for myself and on my side! And my eyes shall behold Him, and not as a stranger! My heart pines away and is consumed within me.”
Job 19:25-27 AMPC
Grace Perspective:
A Redeemer is someone who pays a ransom to save a person who is held hostage by an adversary. Who is an adversary or enemy? In this passage, an enemy is anything that keeps us from having the right relationship with God.
Our fiercest enemy is sin, and our second enemy is Satan, the great deceiver. But God the Father sent Jesus Christ to redeem us from the penalty of sin, eternal separation from Him. He paid the ransom for our souls, saving us from Hell. Jesus is our Gracious Redeemer, the One whose mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. One day, He will come again to redeem all creation from the effects of sin. Where will you be when He comes to make His stand on the earth?
A Touch of Grace:
What is your greatest adversary?
Who is your Redeemer?
Grace Application:
The focus of this passage is our Redeemer. It helps us to remember that Christ came to redeem us from our sins. Christ chose to pay the penalty for all our sins. Sin, like concrete, hardens our hearts and minds against the truth that we need a Redeemer. Sin is sneaky and slithers into our hearts, quietly convincing us that we’re not so bad – that we don’t need forgiveness for our sins.
Secondly, pride is at the root of sin, persuading us that we’re not so bad. We may say, “At least I don’t do….” But the truth is, we all sin and need a Redeemer. Whether we tell a lie, harbor jealousy, or commit murder, all are sins. Yes, murder is far worse than a lie, but from God’s perspective, they each separate us from Him.
For years, I feared that I wasn’t good enough to deserve redemption, that my sin was too great. This fear was actually a form of self-pity, a twisted form of pride that wrongly assumes that Christ’s death on the cross isn’t enough for me. Once I realized this lie, I cried out for forgiveness and received the gift of redemption from my Savior.
Today, if you’ve never considered needing a Redeemer, I encourage you to think about sin and what separation from God for all eternity means. If you feel guilt for your sin, know that there is hope. Turn to the One who came to pay the ransom for all our sins and ask Him to be your Gracious Redeemer. Then rejoice, dear friend, that He has redeemed you from the hand of the adversary.
In His Grace,
Dawn
Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. He has paid the ransom required for my sin. Forgive me for the times I make light of this extravagant payment. Help me see it from Your perspective and live a life that reflects the magnitude of Your gift. Lord Jesus, help me to rejoice in the knowledge that You have delivered me from the hand of the adversary. Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, come to God in repentance so that all doubt is erased. Today is a good day to have assurance of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**