"Christ hath redeemed us!"
"Christ hath redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every
one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the
Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith." -- Galatians 3:13-14
Redemption is not something Christ makes possible, or provides, to
which man must add his part. It is not something Christ has left undone, which
man must complete. Redemption is something which Christ "hath"
effectually accomplished for God's elect by his death on the cross.
“Hallelujah! `Tis done!'
I'm redeemed by God's Son!
I am saved by the blood of
the crucified One!”
The Method
The method of redemption was substitutionary satisfaction. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law." How? By "being made a curse for us."
Christ took our place on the cross. Our sins were imputed to him. And he was slain in our stead upon the cursed tree. Before God could, in justice, justify guilty sinners, sin must be punished to the full extent and utmost satisfaction of God’s infinite wrath and justice. Sin must be put away before God can in justice forgive it. That is what Christ has done. He has put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
The people redeemed are Abraham's spiritual seed, God's elect, covenant
people. Christ did not redeem all men. It is as foolish to speak of men in hell
being redeemed as it would be to speak of them being saved. Christ "redeemed
us," -- those who are redeemed!
The result of Christ's redemption is salvation by faith. Christ
redeemed us for this purpose, "that the blessing of Abraham might come
on us," that the blessing of God's grace might be ours, "that
we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Christ's
redemptive atonement effectually secured the salvation of God's elect, which we
receive through faith.
Faith does not justify us.
Christ is our Justification. But faith receives it. Faith does not sanctify us.
Christ is our Sanctification. But faith receives it. Faith does not redeem us.
Christ is our Redemption. But faith receives it. Faith is not the instrument by
which salvation is accomplished. Christ is our Salvation. But faith is the
channel through which salvation flows into our souls. And this faith is the
blood bought gift of Christ to his elect, redeemed people.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville
- Grace For Today Radio Message #0897
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438 -- Donald
S. Fortner, Pastor