The Power of God's Redemption in Sinners
The power of God's redemption in sinners is a central theme in biblical theology, emphasizing God's capacity to deliver individuals from the consequences and dominion of sin. This redemption is often described as a forgiveness of sins, made possible through the shedding of blood [3, 4]. The concept of redemption implies a rescue or liberation, as seen in Psalms 49:15, where God is said to "redeem my soul from the power of Sheol" [5]. The name Geuel itself means "God's redemption," highlighting this divine attribute [7].
The Bible consistently portrays humanity as inherently sinful. Psalms 51:5 indicates that all human beings are born sinners [11]. Sin is not merely an occasional act but a pervasive condition, often described as a love of self, dishonor to God, and disobedience [13]. Deliberate sins are characterized by an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing rebellion against God [14]. The Apostle Paul, in Romans, emphasizes the universal sinfulness of both Gentiles and Jews, stating that all are "under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" [15]. Sinners are described as those who commit evil, even repeatedly [6], and whose actions are associated with the devil [12]. Augustine, as quoted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, notes that while the devil does not "beget" sinners, those who imitate the devil become his children through imitation [12].
Despite the pervasive nature of sin, God's character includes long-suffering and a readiness to forgive [9, 19]. God's anger is not an arbitrary emotional outburst but a necessary response to sin [15], yet His long-suffering aims at salvation and should lead to repentance [9]. The conversion of sinners is attributed to God's direct action, Christ's work, and the power of the Holy Spirit [8]. This conversion is a matter of grace and follows repentance and faith [8]. The Scriptures and ministers serve as instruments in this process [8].
Redemption involves the forgiveness of sin, which Easton's Bible Dictionary defines as God absolving the sinner from the condemnation of the law due to the work of Christ [10]. This act removes the guilt of sin and the sinner's liability to eternal wrath [10]. Forgiveness is freely offered and is God's unique prerogative [10]. The power of God in redemption is evident in His ability to forgive and to transform individuals. Psalms 51:13 expresses the desire to teach transgressors God's ways so that "sinners shall be converted to you" [1]. This conversion brings joy to God and to saints [8].
God's power is intrinsically linked to redemption. Psalms 66:7 states that "God’s power brings redemption," drawing a parallel to His power in creation [18]. The Lord helps "the poor in spirit" but sends "sinners down in shame" [2]. However, even when God's wrath is evident due to sin, His long-suffering provides an opportunity for repentance [9, 17]. The ultimate claim on believers is by God through Christ [16].
Sources
- Psalms “Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you. -- Psalms 51:13”
- Psalms “Psalms 147:6 (BBE) — The Lord gives help to the poor in spirit; but he sends sinners down in shame.”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 1:7 (Geneva1599) — By whom we haue redemption through his blood, euen the forgiuenes of sinnes, according to his rich grace:”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:14 (Geneva1599) — In whome we haue redemption through his blood, that is, the forgiuenesse of sinnes,”
- Psalms “But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah. -- Psalms 49:15”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 8:12 (Geneva1599) — Though a sinner doe euill an hundreth times, and God prolongeth his dayes, yet I knowe that it shalbe well with them that feare the Lord, and doe reuerence before him.”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Geuel — God's redemption”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conversion — By God -- 1Ki 18:37; Joh 6:44; Ac 21:19. By Christ -- Ac 3:26; Ro 15:18. By the power of the Holy Spirit -- Pr 1:23. Is of grace -- Ac 11:21,23. Follows repentance -- Ac 3:19; 26:20. Is the result of faith -- Ac 11:21. Through the instrumentality of The scriptures. -- Ps 19:7. Ministers. -- Ac 26:18; 1Th 1:9. Self-examination. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Affliction. -- Ps 78:34. Of sinners, a cause of joy To God. -- Eze 18:23; Lu 15:32. To saints. -- Ac 15:3; Ga 1:23,24. Is necessary -- Mt 18:3. Commanded -- Job 36:10. Exhortations to -- Pr 1:23; Isa 31:6; 55”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 90:7: 90:7-10 Sinners cannot escape God’s wrath because the Lord sees their sins. Their fleeting lives are filled with afflictions.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 66:7: 66:7 God’s power brings redemption. The same word occurs in 65:6 for God’s power in creation (see also 80:2).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 130:4: 130:4-6 The good news comes in God’s readiness to forgive sinners. His grace encourages people to fear him and hope in him.”