The definition of redeemed from the 1828 Dictionary:
REDEE’MED, participle passive Ransomed; delivered from bondage, distress, penalty, liability, or from the possession of another, by paying an equivalent.
I am reminded often of who I used to be and I’m not proud of that person. I was broken and living a life that wasn’t according to God’s design.
I would hurt people and was never truly happy because I was searching in all the wrong places. I was looking for acceptance from the world instead of from God and I was trying to find satisfaction from people instead of from God.
But I turned the corner. I turned the corner when I realized the mess I made and gave my life to Christ. What exactly does that mean? It means admitting that I am a sinner and being willing to do things His way. Once I realized that true joy and contentment can come from the one who created me, I truly began to live. I was born broken. I was born a sinner. When I look back on what a mess my life was, I see how I was in a downward spiral taking some of my loved ones with me. My choices affected those I love, especially my children.
The current state is I am redeemed. Jesus died for all my sins, even when I was blind to them. (Romans 5:8) But now that I profess that He died for those sins am I truly redeemed? It truly is supernaturally miraculous how it works. I mean, after all, God created me that way. It is not by anything I have done, but because of what Jesus did for me. My eyes have been opened. I can only trust that God, who is merciful and full of grace, is cleaning up the mess I made. I think about what Joel 2:25 says. Look it up (or click on the link)
I am sad that my sinful nature affected someone’s life, but I hope they see how God has changed me. I hope they see that they, too, can be changed by God. I hope they will search their hearts and see how they have been or still are in a place where they are hoping to find happiness in the things of the world. I hope they are willing to admit their sin and turn their lives over to Christ. True happiness only comes from God. All those things of the world can be a bonus if they are in alignment with what God wants for us, but they can’t come before Him.
I do not take redemption lightly. Because of how I was saved, it’s difficult to remain sinful. God is still working on me. That’s called sanctification. It’s me becoming more like Christ. That will not happen until my temporary life here is over. When I do sin, the Holy Spirit points it out. If I don’t confess and repent, I am unsettled. I cannot be content. So, it’s something I do every day. Sometimes more than once a day. Because of what He did for me and the Holy Spirit (my helper) I can no longer live a lifestyle of sin.