Redemption For All

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:21-24

Notes

Redemption is a term related to the freeing of a slave and was a standard concept in Old Testament times and involved the paying of the price owed. God redeemed Israel by paying the price for their freedom in Egypt and later God redeemed mankind in the sacrifice of his son. The precious blood of Christ paid the ransom that was held over our heads and satisfied the claims of a holy and righteous God.

What is hard to fathom is that many people will choose slavery over freedom. people will choose the temporary freedom of self-expression, autonomy and individual rights over the eternal freedom that comes with a glorious inheritance. The catch is to sell all you have and follow him, to pick up the cross and follow him, to lose oneself in order to be saved. Redemption is there, it’s available for everyone. There are no problems with the supply chain and no bias machines are working to limit delivery. God has created a pathway for each and every person to choose freedom and peace, but that pathway is not an easy one to take.

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

I love the tagline from The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every story whispers his name. The children’s bible speaks to us all in helping us understand God’s overall plan that from the beginning, woven through scripture we are driven on a steady path toward our deliverance. The law assisted this plan by serving the purpose of pointing to God’s son, the Messiah. Believers could uphold the law not as a way to salvation but because the law allows God’s holiness and moral expectations to be seen and understood.

Living a life of rule-following and never being out of place is not what is being asked of us. Yes, we should strive to be in accordance with the Law for the Law was given to us for our good, to teach us right from wrong. Natural law and Mosaic Law condemn us, but God’s grace justifies us creating a pardon of sins as bring us from death to life. This redemption is available for all on an equal basis regardless of background, heritage or life choices, but it only becomes valid and effective in a person’s life when they accept the gift of salvation.

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Galatians 3:23-25

There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

What is really being emphasized here is both Jews and Gentiles are welcome in the inheritance promised by God. Paul is stating that no people have a disadvantage in the view of God nor do people have a special privilege anymore. In the modern world, we need to be reminded that all people, whatever country, heritage, language, lifestyle or even those who we believe to be the worst of our society are still redeemable. When any of us believe in Jesus he forgives us, cleanses us and sparks in us a drive and motivation toward a new life more pleasing to God. Regardless of the different ways that we categorize people whether gender, race, social or economic class, our faith in Jesus binds us together, a varying array of people, into one body, one people under the cross.

Now, we (all of us) who are slaves to sin are freed because Christ’s blood was the payment that was made to free us from our captivity. We have been justified freely, meaning Jesus gave himself willingly into death and were are asked to freely give ourselves up to life. There is no force or even coercion simply a promise of inheritance if only we will accept it.

Justification is typically used in a court of law and in the present many of us are more familiar with retributive justice, how if someone does something wrong there are punishing consequences. But in Christ, there is restorative justice, where we can admit our failings and wrongs and the brokenness that had been created between us and God can be healed. Only through the death of Jesus are we able to become justified.

The six ways we are justified:

Justified by Grace — We do not deserve to be exonerated nor is there anything in this world that we can do to make up for our faults and failings. And yet by God’s grace he sacrificed His one and only son for us.

Justified by Faith — By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ that he was born, died and rose again, believing his teaching we can then find peace and restoration with God.

Justified by Blood — The price paid for our redemption, poured out during the crucifixion by Jesus who had committed no crime and became the sacrificial lamb, washing away every sin, fault and failure.

Justified by Power — The same power that created the earth, parted the seas, stopped time, freed slaves and raised Jesus from the dead is the power of God who can stop inevitable death and bring forth life in us who believe in Jesus Christ.

Justified by God — It is through Him that we are reconciled through his grace and mercy. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Justified by Works — Not that we earn restoration with our works, but our good works are a result, a byproduct, of our faith and evidence of our complete transformation.

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
Acts 13:36-39