Redeemed to Redeem

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19

It is interesting and actually fruitless how we try to buy our own way back into a "good life."  We have fooled ourselves if we think that money, big houses, luxury cars and our influence can "make" us.  If we lose all these, then we are nothing in the sight of the world.

I looked up the word "redeem" and I love the definitions in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. 

Definition of REDEEM
1  a : to buy back : repurchase

b : to get or win back

2

: to free from what distresses or harms: asa : to free from captivity by payment of ransomb : to extricate from or help to overcome somethingdetrimentalc : to release from blame or debt : cleard : to free from the consequences of sin

3

: to change for the better : reform

4

: repair, restore

Jesus purchased us with his blood.
And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.  Revelation 5:9

Jesus is our ransom.
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

What Jesus has done for us, enables us to reform our attitudes towards life.
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Jeremiah 7:3

If we are Jesus' disciples, we too should help to repair the broken people and restore the fallen.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:12

Jesus has done all this for us. Why then do we walk around less than conquerors?  We run after the things that lead to death, wanting more and more material possessions.  Yet, what we really need is to accept the redemption of Christ and live it out.

We are FREE!!! However, we turn away from liberty and become enslaved by our own selfish greed and pride.  We walk in fear of man while spurning the love of Christ.  Whine over our wounds, instead of harmonizing with our Healer.  

At some point we need to realize that our redemption is not about us.  We are set free by Jesus to go and set others free.  When we recognize this and realize God's purpose in our lives by living it out, then we will bear fruit of the Spirit. People will be able to see that we are connected to the Vine, and they too will want to be engrafted in this amazing Tree of Life, so they will have the abundant life.  Having seen lives transformed, we will know we have been redeemed to redeem.