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If our lives were vehicles, they would be full of baggage in the rear of them. In the floorboards of the back seat, you would see evidence of many places we had been and things we had done in the past.
There would be old McDonald’s bags with nine-month-old French fries in the bottom.
You’d see receipts from previous gas station trips, empty cups left from several fast-food restaurants we had visited, and items from various experiences we may have forgotten about.
In the rear of that automobile, we would see a collection of good and bad experiences (baggage) that we had moved on from physically, but internally, we still carry with us into each new life experience.
One day, thousands of years ago, God created humanity. He made them like a well-oiled machine, full of wisdom and able to live without a care in the world.
The only restriction given to them (Adam and Eve) was not to eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God said if they were to eat from that particular tree, they would surely die (Genesis 2:17).
Through deception from Satan through a serpent in the garden, Adam and Eve’s curiosity got the best of them. Since they gave in to temptation and ate of the forbidden tree, sin has been passed down from generation to generation.
The sin of disobeying God opened humankind to a life full of baggage. Not only did it bring baggage, but it brought bondage with it. Bondage that couldn't be shaken. Bondage, from which it seemed there would be no coming back.
It was as if the forces of evil had won and held humanity hostage without a chance to be free. But then along came Jesus Christ.
In this article, we will define redemption. Then, dive into 27 bible verses about redemption.
What is Redemption?
The Christian faith is based on the concept of redemption. Redemption is the act of saving or someone being saved from evil, error, or sin. It is when a person pays a debt, possession is regained, and the debt is cleared, like paying restitution. Redemption is referred to as the act of buying one’s freedom. Similar to paying for an enslaved person to be released from their enslavers.
John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.”
When Adam sinned in the beginning, he brought sin's bondage upon all mankind. Since then, we have experienced the slavery of sickness, diseases, death, poverty, grief, and every negative experience imaginable because of sin.
It wasn't just an experience on earth; sin was passed down like baggage left in a vehicle from one owner to another.
Imagine buying a vehicle that looks as good as new. It has been washed and waxed and has new tires, tinted windows, dual exhaust, an oil change, and a fresh coat of paint.
Yet, inside, you see baggage left over from the previous owner, and it stinks.
God removed Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden because of sin (see the Book of Genesis). Similarly, a life of sin passed down the generations to us has caused us separation from God and His best for us (a spiritual death).
Jesus came in the form of sinful humanity with all of our limitations, yet He didn't sin. He came as a sacrifice for our sins so we could be redeemed by the Father.
Throughout Old Testament times, the blood of bulls, goats, and other animals was used for yearly atonement for sin.
But Christ, our only hope, came as our once and for all spotless sacrifice for sin. In other words, God sent His only son to buy back what was already His.
Jesus took the punishment for humankind's fall in the Garden of Eden years ago so that we could experience spiritual freedom like humanity had in the beginning. With this freedom comes fellowship with God and access to His abundant grace.
We still live in a world where sin and death are in full operation, yet we have a promise of eternal life after death by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
The word redemption in scripture has a few meanings in Greek.
- Agorazo – the marketplace for enslaved people.
- Exagorazo – to being out of the marketplace of slavery.
- Lutrosis – the full payment of an enslaved person. To deliver them from slavery.
- Apolutrosis – the full payment of an enslaved person's freedom (ransom).
As kids, we used to get spankings in our household as punishment for our wrongdoings. Sometimes, a vase was broken, or something was misplaced due to the house rules being broken.
As a result, punishment would be handed down to the guilty party. However, we would sometimes be punished for someone else's transgression because the guilty party wouldn't confess.
There was no way that I would have ever voluntarily taken the punishment for one of my sister's acts of misconduct in the home.
They wouldn't have done it for me either. Yet, Jesus, though sinless, stepped in and took the punishment of sin for us. He is our Redeemer.
27 Bible Verses about Redemption
1. 1 Corinthians 1:30
“But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin].”
2. Romans 3:23-24
“This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus.”
This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:23-24
3. Luke 1:68
“Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people.”
4. Ephesians 1:7
“In Him, we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace.”
5. Colossians 1:13-14
“For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].”
6. Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God.”
7. Psalm 34:22
“The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”
8. 1 John 3:16
“By this, we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.”
9. Galatians 4:4-5
“But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law, 5 so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family].”
10. Galatians 3:13
“Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”—”
11. 1 Peter 2:23-24
“While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice] so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.”
While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice] so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:23-24
12. Isaiah 53:5
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; the punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.”
13. Titus 2:12-14
“ It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.”
14. Hebrews 9:15
“For this reason, He is the Mediator and Negotiator of a new covenant [that is, an entirely new agreement uniting God and man], so that those who have been called [by God] may receive [the fulfillment of] the promised eternal inheritance since a death has taken place [as the payment] which redeems them from the sins committed under the obsolete first covenant.”
15. Colossians 2:12
“Remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God.”
16. Psalm 130:7
“O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption.”
17. Psalm 111:9
“He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name—[inspiring reverence and godly fear].”
18. Romans 8:23-24
“And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees?”
19. Job 19:25
“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at the last He will take His stand upon the earth.”
20. Isaiah 44:24
“For the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb says this, “I am the Lord, Maker of all things, who alone stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by Myself.”
21. Romans 5:8-11
“But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God].”
But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God].” – Romans 5:8-11
22. Isaiah 41:14
“Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you,” declares the Lord, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
23. Lamentations 3:58
“O Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause [You have guided my way and protected me]; you have rescued and redeemed my life.”
24. 1 Corinthians 6:20
“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.”
25. Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
26. John 1:12
“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—”
27. Acts 4:11-12
“This Jesus is the STONE, which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief Cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”
Final Thoughts on Bible Verses about Redemption
Our Heavenly Father didn't like the idea of His children living beneath their means and watching Satan, sin, and death exercise dominion over us.
No good parent would be content to sit back and observe their children make destructive decisions and live beneath their means. So, out of love for us, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus was born through an interaction between the Holy Spirit and a virgin named Mary. His life would become a ransom for many to experience freedom as our Heavenly Father intended. A life free from the baggage from the past.
Jesus willingly came to earth as our vindicator and redeemer. And anyone who believes in Him can be saved from the bondage that has enslaved humanity since the beginning of time.
It is a gift to us to accept of our own free-will. As a result, we can experience liberation from sin’s oppression and the punishment of it.
This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the news that can make us happier humans. We no longer have to simply live until we die.
Instead, we live with the understanding that our lives have significant meaning and purpose in the eyes of our Heavenly creator.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 21 Bible Verses About Helping Others in Need
- 17 Prayers for Forgiveness: Forgive Yourself & Others
- 33 Encouraging Bible Verses About Finding Your Identity
- 25 Bible Verses About Resisting or Overcoming Temptation
- 43 Good Bible Verses About Teamwork & Working Together
- 55 Bible Verses About Gratitude to Be More Thankful in Life
