When I had more free time, I used to clip coupons. It felt good to stand in line at the checkout and save money. Now, I usually don’t even think about coupons until I am standing in the store. Hence, I tend to only redeem store coupons that show up through an application on my phone. Sometimes I save as much as $10 or more on the purchase.
We redeem coupons because what we get back or save has value to us.
When you look up the word redeem, in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary it lists several meanings. It means to buy back. It means to free from harm, consequences, blame, or debt. It can mean to fulfill or to atone.
As an object lesson, let’s consider the value of a coupon. If it were accessible through my phone or in the newspaper, but I never made use of it, it wouldn’t save me anything. The coupon would be valuable to those who do choose to make use of it, but not to me. However, a coupon really doesn’t mean a lot in eternity.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:13-14
Jesus’ blood bought and paid for us. He is our redeemer. Salvation is a free gift from God. Although we have the opportunity to be redeemed, it’s up to us to make use of that opportunity.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:16-18
We did not deserve being saved. God simply loved us enough to provide a way.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:10-11
We only have the opportunity to overcome because of the redeeming blood of Jesus, and our faith in Him.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to think about how much faith you have in Jesus. We have faith when we turn in a coupon that the store will honor it. Not to compare Him to a coupon, but shouldn’t our faith in God be much greater than our faith in men? How much faith do you have in Jesus as your redeemer? If you have not placed your faith in Jesus and his atoning blood, I encourage you to do so today. We are not promised tomorrow. Make that decision before it’s eternally too late.