Question

Can you offer a few words regarding Jesus Christ's redemption?

Answer

I'm not sure what you mean here. Do you mean the way Christ himself was redeemed, or the way he redeems others? Christ himself was not redeemed, although some liberal theologians would argue otherwise. Redemption assumes prior loss, and salvation by an another. Christ was not lost, and therefore did not need saving or redeeming.

The redemption Christ provides to Christians has several aspects. It is current freedom from the penalty of sin, current help against the ongoing present sin in our lives, and future freedom from the presence of sin at all in our lives. It includes forgiveness from sin, and restoration from the effects of sin. It is often broken down into different steps or aspects, including such things as calling, regeneration, faith and repentance, justification, sanctification, perseverance, union with Christ, and glorification. By perfectly fulfilling the Law, Christ won the redemption of those for whom he died. The Holy Spirit then applies that redemption to believers.


Answer by Ra McLaughlin

Ra McLaughlin is Vice President of Finance and Administration at Third Millennium Ministries.