Redeemed By the Blood of the Lamb

In 1882, Fanny Crosby wrote a beautiful hymn called, ‘Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It’. I wish it could be sung in churches nowadays, because so many people still feel guilty for their past sins and hold themselves in condemnation. Even though Jesus has forgiven them, they don’t really forgive themselves. It would be healing for them to sing the words, ‘Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am’.

Here is a definition of the word ‘redeem’ from the dictionary. ‘Redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary’. Another word closely related is ‘ransom’. The dictionary says, ‘To ransom is to redeem a person from captivity by paying a stipulated price, or to redeem from sin by sacrifice: to ransom a kidnapped child’.

If we still feel guilty about our sins, despite confession and repentance, the question we should ask ourselves is, “Has Jesus paid a high enough price to meet the required payment for my sins? Has He done enough?”

We have the answer in the Bible. ‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight’ (Ephesians 1:7-8). I like the way it is worded in the New Living Translation of the Bible, ‘He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding’.

I know that the apostle Paul considered himself the chief of sinners. ‘I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus’ (1 Timothy 1:12-14, NLT).

But Paul also knew that his life could be a powerful witness to others and bring them to faith in Jesus. ‘This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life’ (1 Timothy 1:15-16, NLT).