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THEO 104 Image of Salvation
essay
Introduction to Christian Thought (D) (Liberty
University)
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Image of Salvation
Submitted to Dr. Anthony
Vahala
THEO-104
by
Jennifer R. Hendrix
January 14, 2022
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Image of Salvation
The doctrine of salvation is discussed frequently in Christian societies and in churches.
Discussion or presenting the principle of salvation is something that is nearly all the time
presented or discussed in the church. Salvation is the greatest gift God could have given to us.
Even when Adam and Eve committed the first sin in the Garden of Eden, God already had in
place a plan to redeem all mankind. God sent His one and only son to die on a cross, and with
that one sacrificial action, His son paid the price for all the sin of all the world. With His
sacrificial love, God gifted us the only way to have everlasting life and to spend eternity in
heaven with Him. The only way to receive this gift of redemption is complete repentance, and
accepting Him into our hearts, with a new knowledge of Him and the gift He gave us when He
sent His son to die on the cross for our sins.
Definition of Redemption
The definition of redemption in the dictionary is as follows; “the action of regaining or
gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt.” (2022 Merriam-
Webster, Incorporated) The dictionary also defines redemption from the biblical perspective; “the
action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.” (2022 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated).
All throughout the New Testament you find verse after verse in scripture about redemption. The
most well-known verse is “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV). I John 1:9 says, “If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
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unrighteousness”. (NIV Bible). 1 John 2:2 illustrates redemption perfectly “He is the propitiation
for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world”. (NIV Bible).
Relationship between Redemption and sin
Sin destroys lives, breaks of marriages and families. The headlines in news in the world
today are full of “sin.” People everywhere are trading their lives and their future for a one-time
pleasure of sin. Sin is rampant everywhere. God did not give Moses the 10 Commandments as
mere suggestions, that is why they are call “commandments.” God is gracious and merciful, and
God is good, and if that is true, then why is sin so prevalent? God is not the author of sin, people
are. God is the author of salvation and redemption. God gives us free will. If God were to rid
the world of evil and sin, there would not be anyone left on the earth. Through His sacrifice, He
gives us redemption if we give Him our hearts and put our faith and trust in Him. We are all
sinners, and we have all fallen short of the glory of God. The good news is He made a way for
us through His gift of salvation and redemption. He is the only way to eternal life in heaven with
Him.
Application
In the Bible, there are many places that affirm that punishment, in God’s plan, is
redemptive, to draw us back to Him, and to save believers who seek and know Him. In scripture
we see many instances where God protected mankind and saved us from being completely
destroyed. Examples of this are, the tower of Babel, found in Genesis 11, and Noah building and
ark for the flood, found in Genesis chapters 6-9. These any many other accounts prove that God
allowed these things to happen in order to draw us back to Him. The Old and New Testament
both reveal how God brought hope through obedience, and ultimate redemption.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, in Revelation 13:8 (…the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the
world). God tells us that His plan for redemption was prepared before the creation of mankind.
“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,
in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will
know the Lord.” (Hosea 3:19-20) (NIV Bible). God loves us so much that he was willing to
sacrifice His own son to redeem the sins of the world. He loves us in spite of us. He can never
love us more than He does right now, and no one will ever love us more than He does.
Redemption was His plan all along.
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References
Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV, Copyright 2011
Merriam Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (English), 2022 Merriam-
Webster, Incorporated.
