Living Out Redemption in Everyday Struggles and Trials
Redemption, from the Greek apolutrosis, signifies the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom [5]. This concept is central to understanding how individuals navigate daily struggles and trials within a framework of faith. The New Testament frequently uses apolutrosis to convey the idea of a price paid, as seen in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, where Christ gives his life as a ransom [5]. Scripture indicates that redemption originates with God and is accomplished through Christ, specifically through his blood [6].
Life since the Fall has been characterized by struggle, as noted in Job 7:1, which states that human life has been a struggle since Genesis 3:17 [9]. This reality is echoed in the Psalms, where the psalmist laments, "For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning" (Psalm 73:14) [1]. Another psalmist expresses the depth of this struggle, asking, "How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?" (Psalm 13:2 BSB) [2]. These passages highlight the pervasive nature of suffering and internal conflict.
Despite these struggles, redemption offers a path to perseverance and hope. The apostle Paul, reflecting on his own experiences, recounted the persecutions and sufferings he endured in places like Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, yet affirmed, "The Lord delivered me out of them all" (2 Timothy 3:11) [3]. This demonstrates a pattern of divine intervention amidst adversity. The Geneva Bible translation of Romans 12:12 encourages believers to be "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing in prayer" [4]. This verse encapsulates an approach to trials that integrates hope, endurance, and reliance on God.
Redemption is understood to free individuals from various forms of bondage, including the law's curse, the power of sin, and even the power of the grave [6]. It is also presented as deliverance from "all troubles," "all iniquity," and "all evil" [6]. One purpose of redemption is for the redeemed to honor God through praise [12].
The Christian church is depicted as facing its own "wilderness" experiences, similar to ancient Israel's spiritual refinement in the wilderness and exile [10]. During these times of trouble, God provides refuge and avenues of escape, and believers are called to endurance and perseverance [10]. The pursuit of Christ and salvation requires perseverance, as Paul himself recognized, understanding God's holiness and the severity of final judgment [7, 8]. The ultimate culmination of redemption involves the defeat of God's enemies and the faithful experiencing a resurrection, followed by final judgment [13]. Vindication is presented as the reward for those who live for God [11].
Sources
- Psalms “For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning. -- Psalms 73:14”
- Psalms “Psalms 13:2 (BSB) — How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me?”
- 2 Timothy “persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all. -- 2 Timothy 3:11”
- Romans “Romans 12:12 (Geneva1599) — Reioycing in hope, pacient in tribulation, continuing in prayer,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 3:11: 3:11 To experience the resurrection from the dead is to be saved from judgment and receive eternal life (see Rev 20:4-6). Paul was aware of God’s holiness and the severity of the final judgment (Rev 20:11-15); he knew he must persevere in his pursuit of Christ and salvation (cp. Gal 5:5).”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 3:11: 3:11 To experience the resurrection from the dead is to be saved from judgment and receive eternal life (see Rev 20:4-6). Paul was aware of God’s holiness and the severity of the final judgment (Rev 20:11-15); he knew he must persevere in his pursuit of Christ and salvation (cp. Gal 5:5).”
- Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 7:1: 7:1 Human life has been a struggle since the Fall (Gen 3:17; 5:29; Eccl 1:2, 13-14; 2:11, 17; Rom 8:20-22).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 12:6: 12:6 Like the people of Israel who were spiritually refined in the wilderness (see Hos 2:14-15; Acts 7:38-45) and in exile (see Isa 5:13; Ezek 12:1-3), the Christian church must face its own wilderness. Revelation presents messages of endurance and perseverance in the face of trouble and shows that God provides places of refuge and avenues of escape for his people (cp. 1 Cor 10:13). 1,260 days: See study note on Rev 11:2-3.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:11: 58:11 Vindication is the reward of those who live for God.”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21: 43:21 One purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (see 1 Pet 2:9).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 19:11: 19:11–20:15 The drama moves into its climactic scenes: God’s enemies are defeated and punished in two episodes (19:11-21; 20:7-10). Meanwhile, the faithful experience a 1,000-year resurrection (20:1-6) followed by the final judgment (20:11-15). 19:11-16 Then I saw: John describes a new vision of Jesus Christ as the holy warrior and conquering King (see 14:1; see also Exod 15:1-7; Pss 24:8; 78:49-50; Isa 59:16-17). 19:11 The rider is both a judge and a righteous warrior (see Isa 11:1-5). He is named Faithful and True: He embodies God’s authenticity and reliabi”