2
Through Jesus Christ, we as people have salvation. One of the major aspects of salvation
that God so graciously gave us is redemption. Through Him we are redeemed, and the need of
redemption is due to sin entering the world in the beginning of the metanarrative, the Holy Bible.
Redemption is one of the four major parts of the metanarrative which include the Creation, the
Fall, the Redemption, and the Restoration. The purpose of redemption for humanity can be
described and defined biblically, historically, and theologically for an in-depth understanding of
its relationship with sin. As a future psychologist and a current Christian, I am able to apply this
to my daily vocation now and later.
Redemption: Biblically, Theologically, and Historically
When God sent His son Jesus to earth to die for the sins of humanity, this became known
as the price that Jesus paid. This is the basic example of redemption. It is said in the book of John
that He sent His son to die for everyone and so that those who choose to believe in Him, and His
word will live forever in Heaven. (John 3:16, KJV). This sacrifice is mentioned several times in
the Bible and serves as the perfect example of Christ’s love for humanity. “So, Christ was once
offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second
time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28, KJV). Theologically, redemption is a term
meaning to “buy back” as stated in Everyday Theology (Etzel, 2016). With sin being the shackles
that weigh heavy on us as our master, God had to redeem us by taking back what is His. He
saved us from an eternity in Hell. He served as humanity’s representative with the eternal
covenant that God the Father made with the Son and the Holy Spirit to incarnate and suffer in
humility and die on the cross. “…and the redemptive plan to bring humanity into a right
relationship with God was accomplished through the work of the death, burial, and resurrection
of Christ” (Etzel, 2016, p. 108). In a historical aspect of redemption, Jesus was the son of God
3
sent to be one of us in the flesh as an example on how to live as a true follower of Christ. He was
without sin and was obedient to His father. He had a redemptive plan to bring humanity in the
right relationship with God and this served as His ultimate purpose (Etzel, 2016).
Redeemed From Sin
There would not be redemption without sin. The beginning of the metanarrative, “The
Fall”, explains why the world needed to be redeemed or why God needed to buy back His
people. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve were tricked by the devil to eat of the forbidden fruit which
God told them to never do. This incident caused sin to enter the world and technically ruined the
covenant God had with Adam. Also in Genesis 4, sin continued to be present. The children of
Adam and Eve were Cain and Abel. Cain and Abel were brothers and Cain was jealous of Abel.
He decided to murder His brother due to jealousy dealing with sacrifices and this was obviously
not of God. This was the work of Satan. The purpose of these examples serves as a few of the
reasons humanity had fallen and God saw fit to redeem His people. “But God commendeth His
love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV).
Regardless of what we have done or continue to do, God’s love is unconditional, and He is rich
in grace and mercy.
My Vocation as a Follower of Christ
It is with great pleasure to use God’s plan and action of redemption for humanity as my
ultimate reason to minister to each client when I am a psychologist. It is already a part of my
Christian life to make sure those that I encounter know that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our
sins by dying for us and suffering tremendously just so that we have another chance to be with
Him for eternity. My clients will know that no matter what sins and struggles they share with me
4
that God is listening and waiting for them with welcoming arms for them to accept Him as their
Lord and Savior. He is the Savior because of redemption every other part of the metanarrative. A
Christian is to use his/her daily life as a chance to spread the gospel so that more souls will come
to know and love Him and not perish for our sins that He already forgave us for.
Conclusion
Salvation is ours because of God’s grace and mercy. Redemption is an extremely
important image of salvation for it is simply the explanation of how God redeemed humanity.
Historically, biblically, and theologically, one is able to see that his redemption was not only for
the believers but for everyone so that they may be forgiven for their sins and have the amazing
chance to some day enter into the gates of heaven.
5
References
Gabriel Etzel and R. N. Small, Everyday Theology: Exploring the Christian Faith, ed. Ben
Gutierrez and Gabriel Etzel (B&H Academic, 2016), 108.
Gabriel Etzel and R. N. Small, Everyday Theology: Exploring the Christian Faith, ed. Ben
Gutierrez and Gabriel Etzel (B&H Academic, 2016), 198.
The Holy Bible, KJV. Holy Bible App
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
