Topical Bible: Redemption: Man Cannot Effect

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Redemption, in the biblical context, refers to the act of being saved from sin, error, or evil. It is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the deliverance from the bondage of sin and the restoration of a right relationship with God. The concept of redemption underscores the belief that humanity, due to its fallen nature, is incapable of effecting its own salvation and must rely entirely on divine intervention.

The Nature of Sin and Human Inability

The Bible presents sin as a pervasive and corrupting force that separates humanity from God. In Romans 3:23, the Apostle Paul declares, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This universal condition of sinfulness renders humanity incapable of achieving righteousness through its own efforts. Isaiah 64:6 further illustrates this by stating, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."

The inherent inability of humans to redeem themselves is rooted in the spiritual death that sin brings. Ephesians 2:1-2 describes this state: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world." Spiritual death implies a complete incapacity to initiate or effect one's own redemption.

Divine Initiative in Redemption

Given humanity's inability to redeem itself, the Bible emphasizes that redemption is solely the work of God. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage highlights that salvation is a divine gift, not a human achievement.

The Old Testament foreshadows this divine initiative through the sacrificial system, which points to the necessity of atonement for sin. However, these sacrifices were insufficient for complete redemption, as noted in Hebrews 10:4: "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." This insufficiency underscores the need for a perfect and ultimate sacrifice.

Christ as the Redeemer

The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In John 1:29, John the Baptist proclaims, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Jesus, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, accomplishes what humanity could not. 1 Peter 1:18-19 affirms this: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Christ's redemptive work is complete and sufficient, as He declared on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30). This statement signifies the completion of the work necessary for human redemption, a work that only God could accomplish.

Faith and Acceptance

While redemption is entirely the work of God, the Bible teaches that individuals must respond in faith to receive its benefits. Romans 10:9-10 states, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This response of faith is not a work that earns salvation but an acceptance of the gift already provided by God.

In summary, the biblical doctrine of redemption underscores the incapacity of humanity to effect its own salvation. It is a divine act, accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and received by faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 49:7
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Particular Redemption
... fire, there was a true and real a redemption made as ... We cannot so belie our reason
as to think that the ... intention of saving "a multitude which no man can number ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/particular redemption.htm

On the Effects of the Redemption
... Thus the redemption had two effects, namely, to satisfy God for the offense offered
Him by the sins of men ... A man who curses only once a year cannot be said ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 10 on the effects.htm

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
... REDEMPTION FOR MAN LOST TO BE SOUGHT IN CHRIST. ... of thy right hand, upon the Son of
man, whom thou ... it is abundantly plain, that as the Lord cannot be propitious ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 redemption for man.htm

Sons and Heirs
... if redemption be the change of position in reference to God's love and God's law
as well, neither of these two changes can a man effect for himself. You cannot ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/sons and heirs.htm

Book 2
... Ceremonial Law is repealed, its effect is perpetual ... his jealousy, for he cannot bear
a ... his people righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; Man, because he ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 2.htm

The Cause and the Effect
... done this, or that, in the work of our redemption, quite apart ... It may come to a man
in a moment, as a ... into the secret chamber, can feel it, but cannot tell it ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxiv the cause and.htm

God's Will and Man's Will
... which will we are sanctified." So that the redemption offered up ... is about our new
birth, and here we cannot allow of ... the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/gods will and mans will.htm

The Old Man and the New Man of St. Paul Explained.
... man or entirely the new, for we cannot tell how ... as follows: "Putting away lying,
speak every man truth with ... whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. ...
/.../tertullian/on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xlv the old man and.htm

Letter i. My Dear Friend, I Employed the Compelled and Most ...
... its origin in God: Chaos spirituale:- [Greek text which cannot be reproduced ... and
earth by the Redemptive Word:- the Apostasy of Man:- the Redemption of Man ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter i my dear friend.htm

Natural or Spiritual?
... But cannot another man help us out of ... R's came out clearly"Ruin, Regeneration, and
Redemption! Man ruined, wholly ruined, hopelessly helplessly, eternally ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/natural or spiritual.htm