Redemption
By the Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Redemption was initiated by the Father; accomplished by the Son; applied by the Holy Spirit. The Bible reveals that it was God, the Father, who was the initiator of redemption (John 3:16). Further, the Bible teaches that Jesus, the only Son of God, in obedience to the Father, accomplished everything necessary for redemption (John 19:30; Philippians 2:6-11). Yet, all of us would still be dead in our sins unless God the Holy Spirit did not apply the finished work of Christ to those chosen by the Father (Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 1:12-13; Romans 8:9-14; Philippians 2:12-13).
Redemption, otherwise known as salvation, is also personally experienced. Redemption assumes that a price was paid. Jesus paid the price for redemption. The price was for sin, and it was owed to the Father. Those who belong to Jesus have been saved are being saved and will be saved. Redemption is intimate and personal. It is also corporate. By God’s design, He adopts those whom He justifies into His family. Redemption extends from the individual to the corporate body even to creation itself. The Apostle Paul declared that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
But make no mistake. Salvation is first experienced personally! Therefore, to give God all the praise that is His due, I give the following testimony of God’s saving grace in my life. For it is only by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone that men and women are saved, that I was, am being, and will be saved.
My experience was that God snatched me from the pit of hell on January 29, 1986. The day started normally. But, on my way to my office at a nuclear power plant, I was broad sided by a semi-truck. I awoke four days later in a hospital in Gainesville, FL with one desire and many broken bones. My one desire was for Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible. The God of truth and grace opened my eyes to the world and to His beauty. My only thought was to run to Him. There was no struggling on my part in deciding whether to choose Jesus. I didn’t have the C.S. Lewis experience of being dragged into the kingdom. The thought of running from Jesus never entered my mind.
Not long after the accident, Jesus’ words in John’s gospel burned into my mind and traveled to my heart. “UNLESS one is born again he CANNOT see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, emphasis mine).
Before God’s action on that day, I had no desire for Jesus. I believed that I was a good person. I believed that as long as my “good” outweighed my “bad” God would accept me. I didn’t realize that God is holy and requires perfection!
My thoughts of God were proceeding from a heart of stone. I was spiritually dead and didn’t know it. I used to think that all this “born again” stuff was for the weak minded.
God broke me physically so that I was forced to see my helplessness. I couldn’t even get out of my hospital bed on my own strength. Through my accident, God gave me a word picture of my sinfulness that remains with me. God caused me to dig into His word to learn more about His character.
I often hear that if one believes he will be born again. How foolish! Worse, it is the height of manipulation to tell people that we are made new creations by our own wisdom and ability. How can a dead person believe? The truth is “Ye must be born again” in order to believe! The Bible says: “… while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Every person is born spiritually dead. We are unable to reach out to God and live (see Genesis 3:22-24). God confirmed the truth of His word through a tragedy which continues to point me to Him. God alone saves those whom He chooses. No one can stay His hand! He chose to save a sinner, namely me!
My personal testimony of God’s saving grace won’t save anyone. I write this abbreviated account of God’s work in my life to publicly praise Him and to encourage you to go to a church where the pure gospel is preached and lived.
We rely upon the sovereign God for life and salvation. May you know and may the Spirit testify to your spirit that you are a child of God.
Remember the biblical definition of salvation. It is to be saved by God from God for God.
