Redemption

To redeem is:

1. to discharge or fulfill a promise
2. to obtain the release or restoration of by paying a ransom
3. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner
4. to Ransom or buyback a person from captivity by paying a stipulated price.

The antonym is ABANDON.

Redemption then is the act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake; deliverance, rescue, deliverance from sin.

Jesus is our Redeemer. Redemption comes through His atonement. I love that the antonym is abandonment. Can you even imagine Jesus abandoning us? He is so many things and affects our lives in so many ways from the tiny babe who reminds us that God's love and His plan for His children is in place to His dying words “forgive them. . .”

"He brings about our souls healing, mending fractured relationships, resolving our temporary alienation from our Heavenly Parents, and affecting a more whole and holy selfhood." (page 58 The Christ Who Heals by Givens.)

"Jesus of Nazareth, the Living Son of the Living God, restored physical life where death had held sway and brought joyful, spiritual redemption out of sin, hellish darkness and despair. (Jeffrey R. Holland April 2009 conference.)

"The hope is found in the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the Savior's redemptive power to heal our soul sickness. (Dieter F Uchtdorf October 2018 conference)

Redeeming mankind is Jesus' purpose - His work and His glory. He will not abandon us until we are home and healed of our “soul sickness". The reality though is that He can’t redeem us unless we want to be redeemed. But He will never stop reaching out and inviting us. His love will always be constant and true. We will never be abandoned by our Savior.

You know when you are young, either in age or experience, Gospel terms are often just academic.  You know what they mean but they don't always have a meaning in your heart.  The following poem was written to express that moment when I had my own personal spiritual experience and knew that Jesus was "my Redeemer".  I learned that it is not just that He redeems us from physical and spiritual death.  He often and repeatedly redeems us from our selves and the messes we make of our lives.  What can be more redemptive than to feel love when you have failed, to feel healing when your heart is breaking, to know that there is still hope when you are lost in hopelessness.