THE WORKS OF GOD IN SALVATION (1)

Article by Pastor O’femi Ogunyemi

 

Previously, we had see the meaning of salvation. In parts two and three, we saw God’s motivation for saving men. In parts four and five, we saw how we are saved—by grace through faith. In part six, we saw a nature of salvation as a finished work of God. And, in part six, we saw the three phases of salvation—accomplished, ongoing and futuristic.

 

From this eight part, we begin to look at the chain of God’s activities in men’s salvation. Sometimes, each of these activities is used to represent the whole salvation experience. For example, we speak of salvation as being born again. And, it is okay. But being born again is actually one of the many and diverse works of God in our salvation. 

 

So, beginning from this part, we will be looking at these distinct activities of God that culminate in in man’s complete salvation. Let’s get into it. And, the first thing we are considering is redemption.

 

REDEMPTION

Redemption is often used as a synonym for salvation. But in its own right, it is a distinct work of God in salvation, which addresses a specific problem of fallen man—our enslavement to sin (Romans 7: 14; Galatians 3:22; 4:3-8). 

 

ROMANS 7:14:

“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.”

 

The concept of redemption denotes the release of a slave through the payment of a price. In Christian theology, it denotes God’s gracious activity in securing the release of fallen men from slavery under sin  through Christ. 

 

The English translations of the Bible use only the word redemption or redeem, because of the limitations of English Language. But the Greek text had four different words that have varying implications, to explain this gracious activity of God in salvation.

 

Agorazo

The term agorazo, from agora, meaning market, means “to buy from the market”. In ancient times, slaves were taken to the market and displayed on the slave block, to be sold to the highest bidder. Agorazo highlights the richness of God, displayed through Christ, to be able to afford to buy us off the slave block of sin through the payment of the price for our redemption. This term was used in 1 Corinthians 6:20:

 

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

 

Also used in 2 Peter 2:1:

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”

 

Of course, the price paid was not money, but Christ’s own precious blood. I love the Amplified version of 1 Corinthians 6:20:

 

“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.”

 

Exagorazo

Exagorazo is a compound word derived from the Greek ek—“out of”, and agorazo—“to buy out” or “ransom out”. Exagorazo combines the ideas of deliverance and freedom through the price paid. The term was used in Galatians 3:13:

 

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).”

 

And, in Galatians 4:5:

“To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

 

Lutrao

Lutrao, from the Greek lutron, denotes a ransom price. The Greek lutron itself, a verb from the root luo, means “to set free”. So, lutrao means “to release by paying a price.” The emphasis here is the price paid and the attendant freedom. The term appears in 1 Peter 1:18-19:

 

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

 

And, in Titus 2:14:

“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

 

Apolutrosis

Apolutrosis is a compound word from apo—“from”, and lutrosis, which is the noun form of lutrao. Apolutrosis is a strong word, meaning “to set free permanently”. This term appears in Ephesians 1:7:

 

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” 

 

See also Colossians 1.14.

 

THE BASIS FOR REDEMPTION 

Sinners don’t just casually stroll off the slave block of sin and walk into their permanent freedom. No! Our release is secured through the payment of a ransom price—the precious life of the sinless Son of God. Jesus said, in Mark 10:45:

 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 

(See also 1 TIMOTHY 2:5-6)

 

Redemption is the revelation of our once for all and permanent free- dom from slavery to sin. We are no more slaves to sin. We have been freed from slavery to sin, and so free, eternally! 

 

ROMANS 6:17-18:

17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

 

The responsibility on us now is living as people who are freed, and free indeed!

 

GALATIANS 5:1 [NIV]:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

(To be continued in the next part.)