“Let Your face shine on your servant; save me in Your unfailing love.” – Psalm 31:16 (NIV)
In Genesis chapter 3, we read about when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden. Spiritual and moral death came immediately, while physical death came later. God knew, so He had a rescue plan for us (mankind), whose decision was to rebel against Him through the temptation of satan, which resulted in death.
The term salvation comes from the Greek word ‘Sozo,’ which means to be “delivered, forgiven or rescued,” and it’s God rescuing us from our deserved fate, that penalty of sin and eternal separation (Romans 6:23). And in John 3:16, we read that God’s rescue plan is true. His rescue means not only that the condemnation of sin’s penalty is removed but also that the power of sin is broken.
Forgiveness and redemption are both blessings provided for us through the blood of Jesus Christ. In Him, we have redemption and, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). God rescued mankind through forgiveness, erasing our sin debt and letting us out of debtors’ prison. Forgiveness involves asking and giving. The transition and payment Jesus made for us happened ‘through His blood on the cross’ (Colossians 1:20).
Redemption is a second chance at life. The covering of Adam and Eve’s nakedness (Genesis 3:21) was the first animal sacrifice symbolic of God’s plan through Jesus Christ to pay and release us from the eternal penalty and earthly powers of our own sins. God rescued us by forgiving us, so we must also forgive others. This confirms our belief in Christ and what He did for us.
Thank You for delivering us in Your righteousness, Lord.
Read: Psalms 71:1-3; 1 Peter 2:24
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 8:22-31; Luke 9:10-27; Numbers 33; Numbers 34
