Running head: IMAGE OF SALVATION 1
Image of Salvation Essay
Marissa Rall
Liberty University
APA Format
Author Note
Marissa T. Rall, Department of Theology, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 24515
This paper was arranged as an educational requirement for class THEO 104 -
Introduction of Theology Survey
Acknowledgements regarding this paper should be addressed to Marissa T. Rall
3701 East 69th ST Cleveland, Ohio 44105, [email protected]
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Introduction
Salvation or the image of salvation for mankind include the following: adoption,
conversion, regeneration, redemption, reconciliation, justification, election, sanctification, and
glorification. If anyone knows one thing about Christianity, it is that Christians are to abstain
from sin. Christ died on the cross so that all of mankind could be free from death and bondage.
The sinful nature of all humans due to the fall is the reason for one's own need for salvation. In
this essay, we will explore the image of salvation through the doctrine of redemption, as well as
its definition, description, its relationship with sin, and its application within life itself.
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Definition and Description
According to Cambridge dictionary, the definition of redemption is “the state of being
kept from evil or improving morally” (Cambridge Dictionary, 2020). Cambridge dictionary’s
definition does not necessarily mirror the same meaning that as the Bible has for redemption. In
the Bible, the New Testament teaches us that we have redemption in Him through His blood. In
the New Testament, redemption requires the payment of a price, but the plight that requires such
a ransom is moral not material. Etzel & Small notes, “The idea expressed with the word
redemption is "to buy back" or "to purchase." It is the idea presented in 1 Corinthians 7:23 where
the apostle Paul says, "God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world."
(Gabriel Etzel, 2015, p. 93). Theologically speaking, redemption is simply a metaphor for what
is fulfilled through the Atonement. In a metaphorical sense, the death of Jesus and his shed blood
on the cross pays the price of a ransom, therefore freeing Christians from bondage to sin and
death. Historically speaking, redemption is the act of redeeming/atoning for a mistake, or the
state of being redeemed and or delivered from sin through incarnation, sufferings, and of course,
the death of Jesus Christ.
Explanation of Relationship and Problem of Sin
The Bible assures us that we all sin. Our sin -- doing things our own way and
disregarding God’s way -- sets one apart from God. The Bible tells us that we all sin. In Genesis
3:1-6 (New International Reader's Version, NIRV), Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating fruit
from the tree in the middle of the garden. According to Wikipedia, “This first sin was
"transmitted" by Adam and Eve to all of their descendants as original sin, causing humans to be
"subject to ignorance, suffering and the dominion of death, and inclined to sin.” (Wikipedia, Fall
of Man, 2020). Redemption delivers wrongdoers from sin by depriving or helping one to
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overcome the lure of their sinful spirit. Redemption is the act of God setting one free from the
power of evil, sin, and death. It is available to all of God’s children since we are all partakers of
His mercies. Romans 9:16 (English Standard Version, ESV) says, “So then it depends not on
human will or exertion,[a] but on God, who has mercy.” In Sins & Redemption, Robert B.
Callahan notes “if we understand sin basically as the rebellion against God’s goodness and the
distortion of the relationship between the Creator and creature, the the doctrine of ‘original sin’
can only be properly understood when it is seen, not as a given alone, but in the terms of that
relationship,” (p. 16).
Application
Since it has been established that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, it
stands to reason that redemption is a needed and necessary accommodation for mankind to be
able to access the presence of God. Today sin is more modernly known as one missing the
mark, ,of living up to the standard that has been set by God for one to live by. The oxymoron of
that fact is one will never be able to completely do this which is why redemption is essential for
one to be able to live free from the bondage, guilt, shame and the mental torment of sin.
Counseling done by the leading of the Holy Spirit can be a great aid in helping
Christians come to realize and live in the freedom that was purchased for them in their
redemption. It can help one to come to know and comprehend that though we are all fallible
human beings and will make mistakes, nevertheless that one is still loving and lovable and that
their mistakes does not define them. In addition it can help one to know that no mistake will
ever be wasted in God’s kingdom and that He will take that foundation and use it for His Glory
and help the individuals use it to draw others unto Him.
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Conclusion
In summary, redemption is a needed and necessary antidote to mankind's bondage to sin.
Without it one will live their entire life on earth not being able to resist the sin nature that was
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passed on to all humans in the fall. Redemption was needed for all of man back in the Old
Testament and is still very much a necessity for the modern world we live in today. It has not
become outdated as some tend to believe but still holds its deep meaning when applied to the
human condition and is very much relevant for today’s world in order for one to be delivered
from brokenness to wholeness.
Word Count: 876
References
[EtzelSmall (2020). (p. 92). Everyday Theology: Exploring the Christian Faith. Retrieved
from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com]
‘Fall of Man’ (2020) Wikipedia. Available at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_man#:~:text=This%20first%20sin%20was
%20%22transmitted,is%20clearly%20called%20guilt%20or (Accessed at June 28, 2020)
Callahan, R.B. (2011). Sin & Redemption: An Expository Commentary Based upon
Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (Vol. 2). https://books.google.co.jp/books?
id=jKFMAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=the+relationship+between+redemption+and+
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sin&source=bl&ots=qax07CQj9v&sig=ACfU3U3S1zc44ZScufK9uudr7V0L_gSwSQ&hl=en&s
a=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJw_fU5p_qAhXYBIgKHSTbAsY4FBDoATADegQIChAB#v=onepage&
q=the%20relationship%20between%20redemption%20and%20sin&f=false
