Written by Kat Bittner, Board Member and Volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colorado
Sometimes I ponder my path to redemption. Raised in a strict but loving Christian home, my parents did well to instill in me an unwavering belief in God. I’ve never questioned His existence or how this world came to be. Never have I debated the authority or majesty of God. I grew up with absolutely no doubts about who Jesus is and the necessity of Him. With a biblical upbringing like mine, one would think that my sound and sure faith would suffer little in consequence of sin. A strong, solid foundation ensures an unbreakable structure. That couldn’t be more wrong! While a firm foundation does increase the likelihood a structure remains intact, there is no guarantee it won’t be vulnerable at some point in time. Especially when that firm foundation isn’t as sound as it seems.
You see, my “firm” foundation became a crutch. I took for granted the things I knew to be true would be my stronghold. I didn’t truly appreciate my faith. I allowed sin to creep into my life unfettered and unceasing. There was a season of time in which I dabbled in just about everything that could be deemed unredeemable. I was wont in filthy language, sexual immorality, underage drinking, gluttony, smoking, drugs, dishonoring and disrespecting the name of God. Whew! That’s just the short list. I was completely indifferent to all my sin and wrongdoing. The choices I made were self-serving and totally satisfying. The fleeting pleasures were more important than the subdued faith I believed to be living (Heb 11:25). After a while, I began to get comfortable in my constant albeit undisclosed rebellion. And after years of living selfishly, I figured God would never be pleased or satisfied with me. He would never forgive me. As a life-long affirmer in Him and one who chose to then walk away from God for a time, I was convinced I was unredeemable. I was like a field bearing thorns and thistles. Useless! All that’s left for the farmer to do is burn and destroy it (Heb 6:8). In the inevitable doom of my soul and the hidden despair I felt because of that belief, I came to understand through a wonderful spiritual mentor that no sin at no time in no quantity, that is repentant, is ever unforgiven. And I am always redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
“He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever…” (Ps. 111:9, NKJV)
God forgives unequivocally. It is without condition or exception if we are truly repentant. And we are redeemed through the blood of Christ in much the same manner. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb who sacrificed Himself undeservedly and unmistakably. Jesus did this “…once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Heb 9:12, NIV) and we who choose to follow Christ are forever redeemed. To be close to God and be saved from the consequences of our sin, a sacrifice of blood was necessary. That’s why Jesus died for us. No manner of sin can undo what Jesus did for us if we remain true to God. We cannot no longer be redeemed simply by considering our sinful nature for if redemption was temporary or provisional it would make Jesus’ sacrifice in vain.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” (Gal. 2:20-21, NLT)
I know that Jesus’ sacrifice was not in vain. I know that all my sins of the past are forgiven. And I know that my sin now is not ever unforgiven nor is it remembered so long as I continue to walk in the light of Jesus. I do my best to live daily in acceptance of God’s grace. I try to be a testimony of the redemption made on my behalf by Jesus. I know that I am forever redeemed. How will you show yourself forever redeemed?
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