Living in Light of Redemption
By Rod Dreher
Rawlings School of Divinity
CLED 800: Biblical & Theological Foundations of Education
Genevieve Hamer
July 3, 2022
Living in Light of Redemption
Living in a fallen world as Christians means we will experience trials and tribulations and
will continue to struggle with our own temptations. We are forgiven, but God is not finished
with us yet (Philippians 1:6). Consequently, longing for a better world, even a perfect world, is
not a form of escapism. Rather, it is the Christian’s rightful anticipation of a promise made by
the One who justly pronounced a curse on this world and then lovingly took that curse upon
Himself in order to redeem people for His glory.
What are some practical steps that you can use to share the story of redemption with
others?
Recognize that we are all products of the fall and in need of redemption. It’s easy to
forget that people who bother us are often people just like us. We are all affected and afflicted
by the fall. When we view people through the lens of being fallen (instead of expecting them to
live as if they were fully redeemed), we can be more sympathetic. Thus, instead of bearing a
grudge against them we should recognize the need to point them to their Redeemer. Jesus
stated it this way: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind.’ This is
the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:35-40).
Realize that the sufferings of this world are temporary. This is not to diminish the pain we
feel when our bodies fail or when friends betray us. Pain is hurtful and we will feel it. Yet, the
promise of redemption is that our pain and hurt are not final. We have hope because God
Himself has promised to redeem all of creation. If we want others to share in our story of
redemption, we do this best when we live in light our future redemption. 1 Corinthians 2:9
states, “But as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has
conceived’ – God has prepared these things for those who love him.”
Respond to God’s grace in your life by offering grace to others. One of the joys we will
experience in the new heavens and new earth is knowing that we are there because someone
shared the good news of the gospel with us. How much more will our joy be to know that
someone has been redeemed because we shared the story of redemption with them! We can
do this with gentleness and kindness: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Bible Verses about Redemption
To learn more about what the Bible says about redemption, spend time with the
following passages:
Genesis 3:15 - "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring
and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Exodus 6:6-7 - "Say therefore to the people of Israel, 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you
out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I
will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be
my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has
brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
Numbers 24:17 - "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out
of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break
down all the sons of Sheth."
Psalms 22 - Click the Bible chapter to read the full text.
Job 15:25-27 - "Because he has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty,
running stubbornly against him with a thickly bossed shield; because he has covered his face
with his fat and gathered fat upon his waist"
Isaiah 53 - Click the Bible chapter to read the full text.
Isaiah 61 - Click the Bible chapter to read the full text.
Luke 1:30-32 - "And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor
with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his
name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will
give to him the throne of his father David"
Luke 1:68 - "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people"
Galatians 3:13 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--
for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"--"
Galatians 4:4-7 - "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of
woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might
receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our
hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir
through God."
Titus 2:11-14 - "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright,
and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of
our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all
lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good
works."
