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REDEMPTION

By Mae Shurow

Redemption is a process, or a journey, that begins with new birth and culminates in the receiving of our inheritance, which is final redemption.  At new birth, we become children of God.  “Believers are called both tékna Theoú, children of God (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16, 17, 21; 9:8; Eph. 5:1; 1 John 3:1, 2, 10; 5:2), and huioí (5207), sons (Rom. 8:14, 19; Gal. 3:26; 4:6, 7; Heb. 12:7)”(*Zod.).  But there is a difference in being a child and being a son.

• John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons* (5043, teknon, a child) of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

*This word translated “sons” in John 1:12 is “5043. téknon, to bring forth, bear children. A child, male or female, son or daughter. A distinction between téknon (5043)and huiós (5207), son, can be noted.  Teknon, child, gives prominence to the fact of birth, while huios (5207), son, stresses the dignity and character of the relationship. Teknon refers to those who were born of God, huios refers to those who show maturity acting as sons.  When just the basic relationship as a born again child of God is referred to, it is expressed as tekna.  Huiós at times refers to a legal heir and thus, by implication, an adult. It seems to underscore the character or maturity of the individual. Jesus is always referred to as huios.  Téknon is a more general designation for offspring and contemplates the individual as one who is parented, one who has been born to another” (Zodhiates).

At salvation, we are newborns.  We are teknon, little children, offspring. We have not yet come to maturity, adulthood, not yet legal heirs.  We must grow up into our inheritance, become mature.   “Being a huios, (5207) a son, involves the conformity of the child that has the life of God in him to the image, purposes, and interests of God.” 

The process of our redemption begins at salvation.  At salvation, or new birth, the Holy Spirit enters in.  We are marked with His Holy Spirit, which is a promise of our inheritance.  

• Ephes. 1:13-14  “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed (marked) with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest (down payment)* of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory”. 
      *This is the beginning, the down payment of our actual inheritance, until we are fully redeemed.

• 2 Corin. 1:33  [God] “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

At new birth, the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart and a new ability to obey God.

·    Hebrews 10:15-16 says: “Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;” 

·    Ezekiel 11:19-20 tells us more:  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

·    Ezekiel 36:26-27  “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

 But new birth and receiving the Holy Spirit is only the beginning.  

• Romans 8:23 says, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits* (5046) of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption (5206), to wit, the redemption of our body.” 

* Firstfruit (5046) “the gifts of the Holy Spirit as a foretaste of the believer’s eternal inheritance.”

The Holy Spirit is the firstfruit.  As wonderful as the new birth is, it is just a taste of what is to come!  We wait for the adoption*

*Adoption (5206), meaning “…in every respect in the position of a son by birth, same rights and obligations.  Being a huios (5207), a son, involves the conformity of the child that has the life of God in him to the image, purposes, and interests of God and that spiritual family into which he is born.” 

We wait for that maturity, that conformity to the image of Christ, and we wait for final redemption. 

 Hebrews 6: 1 says, “…let us go on unto perfection*…”

*“ Perfection is 5047, teleiotos. 5047,  teleiotos noun from téleios (5046), perfect*, one who reaches a goal. Perfection or perfectness, stressing the realization of an end in view, the state achieved when a goal has been accomplished (Col. 3:14; Heb. 6:1).” 

*Perfect-5046 téleios; means “Finished, that which has reached its end, term, limit; hence, complete, full, wanting in nothing. (II) Specifically of persons meaning full age, adulthood, full–grown, of persons, meaning full–grown in mind and understanding (1 Cor. 14:20); in knowledge of the truth (1 Cor. 2:6; Phil.  3:15; Heb. 5:14); in Christian faith and virtue (Eph. 4:13). In the neut. tó téleion means the final destination of the believer, that is, heaven (1 Cor. 13:10, as contrasted to the full age in knowledge and understanding in 1 Cor. 13:11). This image of fully completed growth as contrasted with infancy and childhood underlies the ethical use of téleioi, being set over against the babes in Christ (1 Cor. 2:6; 14:20; Eph. 4:13, 14; Phil. 3:15; Heb. 5:14). The téleios is one who has attained moral maturity, the goal for which he was intended, namely, to be a man obedient in Christ.” 

·    James 1:3-4 says,  “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect (5046, teleios) and entire* (3648), wanting nothing.

*Entire: (3648) “…having all its parts, sound, perfect. That which retains all that was initially allotted to it and wanting nothing for its wholeness. It expresses the perfection of man before the fall. Or one who has persevered or, having once suffered loss, has now regained completeness” (Zodhiates. Complete Word Study Dictionary).   “Complete in all its parts, in no part wanting or unsound, complete, entire, whole. 1a of a body without blemish or defect, free from sin, faultless.” (Strong’s).

·    Ephes. 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (5046, teleios)  man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

·    Paul said, in Philip. 3:12-14:  “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:*

*“5048 teleióo; contracted teleió, fut. teleióso, from téleios (5046), complete, mature. To complete, make perfect by reaching the intended goal.  Particularly with the meaning to bring to a full end, completion, reaching the intended goal."

...but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of  Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus."

Maturity in Christ is a process…The Biblical term for this process is “sanctification.”  Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary (1985) defines sanctification as “…the separation of the believer from evil things and ways.  This sanctification is God’s will for the believer (1 Thess 4:3), and His purpose in calling him by the gospel (v.7); it must be learned from God as He teaches it by His Word (John 17:17), and it must be pursued by the believer, earnestly and undeviatingly (2 Peter 1:5-10).  For the holy character is not vicarious, i.e., it cannot be transferred or imputed, it is an individual possession, built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the Word of God, and of following the example of Christ” (Vine, Unger, & White, p.545). 

…and it is those sons (hulos), of full age, of fully completed growth, adulthood, full–grown sons, which God is bringing to glory! Those who allow the Spirit to bring them to completion, those who are perfected, will receive their full inheritance, eternal life.

• Hebrews 2:10 says:  “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons (hulos) unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

• Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son (hulos); and if a son (hulos), then an heir of God through Christ.
• Rev. 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son (hulos).
• Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (hulos)  of God. 
• Romans 8:15-16  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption (5206), whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children (5043, teknon)  of God: 17And if children (5043, teknon), then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; IF so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
• Hebrews 6:11-12  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God uses trials, tests, tribulations, and sufferings to perfect us and bring us to maturity.  As we face each of these tests of faith, we have a choice.  We can choose to let the process continue, or we can choose to go back.  We can choose to function in each circumstance in a way pleasing to our God (God’s way), or in a way that is pleasing to ourselves (our way).  We can choose to love God foremost and follow after Him, or we can choose to love other things or people more than God.  Each test, trial, temptation or affliction is at ever deepening levels and is an opportunity for growth along the journey to perfection and maturity—if we will love, trust in, and be obedient to God. 

·    James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

·  Psalm 11:5 The Lord trieth the righteous…

• 1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

• 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

·   1 Peter 5:8-10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

• Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

• 2 Cor. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
• Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
• Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold ,the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

We do not stand still on this journey to redemption.  With each test, we either go forward, or we go backward. We can move one of two ways--toward God or away from Him; forward or backward; toward rebellion or obedience; toward departing, forsaking, backsliding or returning; toward maturity in Christ or away from it.  If we are fearful of where God is taking us and refuse to move forward, in God’s great mercy He will continue to bring us to places where we will again be tested. He gives us every opportunity to be obedient to Him and to go on to maturity in Christ!

• Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward

• Psalm 107:10-13, 43 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. 13Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.  Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.
• Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
• Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
• Hebrews 12:5-7 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

• Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.  Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God. .

• Hosea 14:1,4 O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God…I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

• 2 Peter 1:9-10 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.

In the Experiencing God Workbook (p. 127-128), Henry Blackaby teaches, “God will bring you to a crisis of belief. You must believe God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.  Without faith in God, you will make the wrong decision. Following your Master requires adjustments in your life.   If you want to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus, you have no choice.  You will have to make major adjustments in your life to follow God.  If you choose to make the adjustments, you can go on to obedience.  If you refuse to make the adjustments…you will be of little use to God.  You cannot continue life as usual or stay where you are, and go with God at the same time.  That is true throughout Scripture.” 

We must continue in the faith!   

• Col. 1:21-23 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled: 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard…

• John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

• Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

• Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave* unto the Lord.

                             *Cleave “refers to faithful going on with the Lord, which is a
                          decisive demand made upon Christians in addition to the initial
                          decision of conversion (cf. Lk. 8:15). Perseverance in face of all
                          the disturbing experiences of suffering is also included 

                          (Ac. 14:22). Faithful cleaving to the saving revelation of God is

   contrasted with the vacillation which for the slightest reason lets
   go of the salvation found (Ac. 13:43; cf. Mk. 4:17).” ^[1]

• Luke 22:28-29 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

• 1 John 2:24-25 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

• Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

• Hebrews 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
• Revelation 2:10  ...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [trial]; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12).

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*All emphasis  mine.

Copyright ©2005 by Mae Shurow 
Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution 
provided proper citation of authorship is included.