When God’s perfect creation was marred by sin, God set in motion a plan to redeem it. Isaiah 61 describes Jesus’ assignment as God’s chosen Redeemer. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed” (Isaiah 61:1). Who are the captives and from what prison are they set free?
In Genesis 3:13 the Lord asked Eve why she ate the fruit that was forbidden, and she replied, “The serpent deceived me.” The word for deceive in Hebrew is “nasa.” It also means to enslave through usury which is payment of a debt with interest. In biblical times, a person who couldn’t pay a debt could become a slave as a way of paying it off. By adding interest, the time you’re a slave to your debt is increased. When the devil deceived Eve and both she and Adam ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were made debtors to God because of their sin. Adam and Eve became slaves to self-focus when their eyes were opened to see “self.” The self they saw was under judgment as a debtor, which produced striving to sew fig leaves to cover their shame. The knowledge of their evil caused them to fear and hide from the presence of the God they once loved.
On top of that debt, the devil added interest through enslavement to the world’s system described in 1 John 2:16. “The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” We were all born into slavery to worldly philosophy, self-focus, fear and striving which drives us to do things that cause pain. Every time we believe a lie of the devil and act on it, we go further into debt. The devil keeps cracking the whip as the slavedriver who is always pushing us to do more and consume more to cover up our shame and lack as debtors. The book of Revelation calls him the Accuser who tries to condemn us for falling short. So we work and work to make ourselves acceptable to God and people, sewing our fig leaves and hiding from God until we feel presentable by our own definition of goodness based on our knowledge of good and evil. But we’re never good enough. We can never work our way back to the garden because we’re debtors.
The very identity of God’s people in the Old Testament was rooted in their deliverance from slavery to Pharoah in Egypt. God heard their cries and sent Moses to deliver them, promising, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgment” (Exodus 6:6). God’s physical deliverance of Israel pointed us to Jesus who came as God’s deliverer for the whole world from the devil’s rule. Jesus redeemed us “with an outstretched arm” on the cross. By offering his obedient life in payment of the debt we owed God for our disobedience, he made peace between us and God so we could come home to the Father without shame. Just as the Father clothed Adam and Eve with the skin of an animal as the first sacrifice to cover their nakedness, Jesus sacrificed his life to redeem us and cover us with his righteousness. The blood he shed on the cross paid our debt and set us free.
Zechariah 9:10 promises, “Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon.” We were all stuck in debtor’s prison, sentenced to death, until Jesus went down to the grave and snatched the keys of death from the devil, setting us free. All who are in covenant with Christ through his blood are no longer condemned but are forgiven and set free from bondage to sin and the world’s broken system ruled by the devil.
Our bondage to the devil is described in Ephesians 2:1-2. “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” Just as God took his people out of Egypt and put them in the land he promised Abraham, when we repent and desire to obey God, Jesus delivers us from oppression by the devil. Colossians 1:13-14 tells us that God “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” In Christ we have forgiveness of our debt and redemption – which means ransom, release, set free from slavery. We are forgiven and moved into God’s Kingdom under his authority.
In John 8:34-36 Jesus says, “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” As the Son of God, Jesus has the authority to set us free from bondage to sin and the devil. Colossians 2:13-15 explains how we’re legally redeemed once we have died to selfish ambition to become one with Christ. “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Jesus took away the Accuser’s power to condemn us with fearful, accusing thoughts. We are no longer slaves to the devil as our slavedriver who pushes us to prove our worth by what we produce. We belong to God who invites us into regular rhythms of work and rest.
God brought the Israelites out of slavery and gave them every seventh day and year to rest as a sign of his covenant with them. Slaves always work but God’s children rest. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites all who are weary to come to him and receive rest for their souls because his yoke is easy and burden is light. How does Jesus give us rest? He shifts our focus from accumulating stuff and status to simply loving God and people. Colossians 2:17 says that we are not under judgment based on our performance of religious activities because those things were “a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” We can rest from religious striving because Jesus has restored us to right relationship with God that is based on what he did to redeem us, not what we did for God. God’s laws point us to holiness, but God’s Spirit makes us holy by living in us and guiding us to truth.
In John 8:31-32 Jesus says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” By receiving Christ as our Redeemer, we are set free. To remain free, we must be discipled by the Spirit of truth because it was believing a lie that took us into bondage in the first place. That’s why what we believe about God and ourselves matters. The level of truth we believe and obey determines the level of freedom from oppression we experience. When God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, they kept looking back and longing for life in Egypt, even though they’d been slaves there. We remain in Jesus our Redeemer by embracing our new identity as citizens in God’s Kingdom and refusing to go back to Egypt. Romans 8:6 tells us that “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (NIV). Jesus governs us by teaching us how to think like he does.
This world is not our home. We are citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven which has a completely different set of values from this world. The world tells us to climb social ladders and pursue wealth and power. In the gospels, Jesus gives us the values of his Kingdom which include welcoming the least popular people to your party, helping those who can’t help you, and serving in humility. Living by Kingdom values will put you in opposition to the system ruled by the devil, which is why God puts us in the family of God, the church, to encourage us. The Kingdom of Heaven will come into fullness when Jesus returns to redeem the earth itself. Until then, we gather with other believers for encouragement and pray for God’s Kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We invite him to redeem every broken area of our lives so others can see a little slice of heaven through Christ in us.
Identity Revelation: Who are we in Christ, our Redeemer? Freed slaves and citizens of God’s Kingdom!
Jesus doesn’t just redeem us from slavery to sin and the world; he redeems us to life in his Kingdom. His Kingdom exists in the hearts of believers where Jesus presently reigns as King. We live in a “now and not yet” Kingdom while we wait for the full redemption of all things when Jesus returns. In Isaiah 65:17 God says, “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.” When we rebelled against our Creator, creation came under a curse so that the earth bears the weight of our sin. For example, in the book of Leviticus, we discover that when innocent blood is shed or when people commit sexual immorality, the earth is defiled and must be cleansed. Galatians 3:13 tells us that Jesus took all our curses upon himself on the cross. When people from every tribe on earth have repented of sin and invited Jesus to be King, he will come to cleanse and restore the earth to God’s original vision. Under Jesus’ reign there will be no more rebellion, violence, or predators. “The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow” (Isaiah 65:25).
The first thing that was cursed when Adam disobeyed was work so that his desire for meaningful, productive work could not be fulfilled apart from God. Isaiah 65:21-23 reveals that during the reign of Christ, “people will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards. 22 Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses and confiscate their vineyards. For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. 23 They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the Lord, and their children, too, will be blessed.” We are redeemed to do meaningful work and enjoy what we have built.
The next portion of Isaiah 65 explains how life in Jesus’ Kingdom operates: “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isaiah 65:24). Our work is redeemed by being in constant communication with the Lord, trusting that he hears us and answers us while we’re still talking about our needs. In John 16:23-24 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” While there are some things we have to wait for, like the new earth, we can access the blessings of the Kingdom now by faith. We do this by asking for what we need and believing that the Father delights to give us what we’ve asked for to do the work he created us to do.
When Jesus returns, we will experience the full redemption of our bodies. In heaven, people live as spirits, so when Jesus returns the dead in Christ will rise and be given new bodies that never die because we need a body to live on the earth. During the millennial reign of Christ, people who are alive when Jesus returns will continue to have children, but they will live a long time. “No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only the cursed will die that young!” (Isaiah 65:20). While we wait for our new bodies, we have access to healing now through faith that we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus and “by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV).
Jesus reveals that abundant joy comes from asking in faith and receiving, for the Kingdom is defined in Romans 14:17 as “goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Jesus made peace between us and God by paying our debt and taught us in the sermon on the mount how to live in peace with one another. Every good thing we receive from the Father is meant to be freely shared with others, which is how life in the Kingdom of Heaven operates. Like a waterfall that cascades from the Father down to us and pours out through us to others, God blesses us with abundance and we share it. He blesses us with faith and we share it. He gives us mercy and we show others mercy. He forgives our debt, and we forgive others’ debts. Jesus tells us that when someone imposes on us, we can give even more than they asked because our mindset in the Kingdom is abundance. When we stop living according to the word’s system and let God be our defender and provider, we live under grace and learn how to give grace so that our lives will demonstrate God’s goodness.
Christ, the Redeemer, in me: Jesus didn’t remove us from the pain of the world; he filled it with his presence by giving us his Spirit. Jesus liberates us into freedom by his blood, and the Spirit empowers us to keep walking in freedom as we follow his lead. We can ask for the blood of Jesus to not only save us from sin but redeem the pain of our past. Sometimes Jesus redeems by delivering us from a situation. Sometimes he redeems by walking through the dark valley with us so that we don’t fear evil but draw comfort from his presence. Sometimes he redeems after time has passed by giving us understanding of how he was working for our good in that difficult situation, cultivating character or setting us up for a breakthrough. Jesus desires to redeem every part of lives so that it is under the authority and dominion of his love. The more of our mind, will, and emotions we give him, the more we experience redemption.
God told Israel to remember that they were slaves in Egypt because he had redeemed them and wanted their gratitude to be poured out as compassion for those in slavery. He even set up laws dictating that slaves would be set free every seven years. They were to turn the pain of their past into gratitude that fueled compassion for those in debt. Jesus redeems our past whenever we give him the pain, receive deliverance from enslavement to the pain (even if the situation hasn’t changed), and allow God’s goodness to flow as compassion through us toward those who are experiencing that same pain. Your greatest pain will become the most fertile soil for ministry when redeemed by Jesus. For example, my family went on a gluten free diet in 2009 before anyone had heard of it. It was challenging to raise my kids to eat differently than everyone else, but that season gave birth to a gluten free blog which started my writing ministry. Nine years later we were healed, but God redeemed that challenging time by giving me compassion for those with food sensitivities. This is why the food-based family lessons I write include food allergy substitutions.
Isaiah 61 begins by describing Jesus’ assignment to set us free from bondage, then goes on to say that he will bestow on those who have been set free “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” (Isaiah 61:3-4). God’s love flows through us to rebuild, restore, and renew what’s been devastated for generations. Jesus redeems us to join him in his work of redemption, helping others rebuild what the enemy has tried to destroy. When we invite the Spirit to shine light into every area of pain and confusion, he gives us the key to unlock ourselves from imprisonment to lies. As we step into the light, we then move in compassion to the person next to us and unlock their prison cell by sharing the truth that set us free. This study contains the keys the Spirit gave me which I now give to you.
Jesus not only sets us free from debt, he transfers us out from the world’s financial system which is financed through debt into his Kingdom where the Father supplies our needs. I remember when we were struggling under the weight of financial debt due to a second mortgage with college looming in the near future for our kids. At the time, I was learning about living by faith and trusting in God’s promises. The Holy Spirit challenged me to believe that just as God helped the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 to pay her debt, he would help us pay ours. I began declaring by faith that God was going to help us pay off our second mortgage. A month later the answer came, and within six months we were debt free except for our primary mortgage. Jesus instructed us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12, NIV). God redeemed not only our spiritual debt but our physical debt. Believing that it is God’s will for us to be free of debt, we then asked God to help us pay for college and he helped my daughter graduate debt free! He has redeemed us from financial bondage and given me compassion for those who struggle financially, which is why I give my book away for free on my blog and minister to the poor in my community.
We receive forgiveness from God with joy, not shame, because our awareness of where we were debtors and slaves of sin only makes us that much more grateful to God and gracious toward others in their weakness. Christ, the Redeemer in us will continue to forgive debts. Jesus taught us to pray for God to forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors, so our forgiveness is connected to our willingness to release others from debt. When we understand the gift we’ve been given through forgiveness, we will want to give it away. Forgiveness is not sweeping sin under the rug; it is acknowledging that someone owes you a debt that you are choosing to forgive instead of demanding that they be punished. The joy of my redemption gives me compassion for other slaves to sin who owe me debts. To deny others forgiveness is to deny Christ, the Redeemer in me. Jesus paid our debt and fills us with love so we can be lenders of grace, givers of mercy, and lovers who love others.
God didn’t abandon us in our mess, he redeemed it. Romans 8:28 promises that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” God is making lemonade out of lemons, pouring his goodness into the sourness of the broken world. We now taste and see that the Lord is good, enjoying the abundant life he offers us in his presence.
Identity Declaration: I declare that my life has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. My debt is paid. I don’t belong to the devil or this world and am no longer a slave to sinful impulses. I am filled with the Spirit of truth who sets me free and teaches me how to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. I release all pain to Jesus to be redeemed and by faith receive redemption of my soul, work, and body.
Reflection: How can I love others as Christ, the Redeemer, has loved and graciously restored me?
The Word Remaining in Me: Click on the scriptures below to read them online.
- Read Colossians 2:6-23. Ask the Spirit of truth to reveal any “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world” that have held you captive (v. 8). Then ask him for the truth that sets you free to live in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Read Romans 8:1-14. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how does Paul say we are to respond to him? What would it look like in your life if your mind was “governed” by the Spirit?
- Read Galatians 5:13-26. How does Paul define “freedom” in Christ? How is life in God’s Kingdom contrasted to the way of the world? How is Kingdom life accomplished according to this passage?
- Read Matthew 18:21-35. How is showing mercy to others a demonstration of God’s justice? Jesus commands us to continually forgive because the Father continually forgives us. Is there someone who owes you a debt that Jesus is asking you to forgive? Pray the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-15 and ask for his Kingdom to come and will to be done as you receive forgiveness and release it.
Remaining in Love: Is there an area of pain in your life that you need Jesus to redeem? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how Jesus was loving you during that situation and open your heart to receive his healing and compassion. Give him the pain and thank Jesus for being your Redeemer. Invite Christ in you to forgive and release those who caused you pain from their debt. As you release forgiveness and continue to forgive, you will feel oppression lift and the peace of Christ rest on you.
Bonus Online Content
Click here for a PDF of the Small Group Discussion Guide and Fun, Interactive Family Lesson
Worshiping From Your Identity in Christ, the Redeemer:
- Click here and let your Redeemer sing over you this invitation to freedom (“Out of Hiding” by Steffany Gretzinger and Amanda Cook)
- Click here to worship as the redeemed (“Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship)
- Click here to worship Jesus for setting us free from bondage (“Egypt” by Bethel Music, Cory Asbury)
Redeemed Identity Scriptures to Memorize and Pray:
Thank you, Jesus, for paying my debt and canceling the record of charges against me so I can stand in your presence free from condemnation. Cleanse my conscience so that my view of myself aligns to your view of me in Christ. I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus and release it to those who owe me debts. Thank you, Lord, for rescuing me from the kingdom of darkness and transferring me into your Kingdom. Redeem every part of my life, bringing it under the dominion of Jesus. Father, I trust that as I seek your Kingdom and righteousness, you will provide for all of my needs. Lead me in goodness, peace, and joy by the power of your Holy Spirit. May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
“[God] has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault” (Colossians 1:22).
“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).
“The Kingdom of God is…living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
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