Meaning behind the Name

I wanted to share why I chose redeemed child of God. I chose "child of God" because of something I read in a book called Water from the Rock: Finding God's Comfort in the Midst of Infertility. I am so grateful this book was recommended to me by a good friend. If there is one book I would recommend (besides the Bible) for those struggling with infertility it would be this one. In the chapter on Inadequacy/Guilt, the authors discuss the importance of a relationship with God and having your identity soaked in Christ. They stated that when you are walking closely with Christ "your identity will rest in the reality that you are His child." Our adequacy and our significance comes from Him. It does not come from others approval, from accomplishments, from how I compare to others, an ability to conceive a child, or anything else. This quote from the book really spoke to me, "If motherhood is your only identity, you are missing out on something very important: A mother is not significant because she is a mother but because she is a child. The fact that she is a child of God makes her valuable" (pg. 69).

"Yet to all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" John 1:12-13

Secondly, redeemed is pretty much my favorite word. One of my favorite books is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It was after reading this book that I turned my life to Christ. The story is basically about a woman who believes that she is soiled and unworthy, but finds the way back to God through Jesus Christ. I once believed I was beyond forgiveness, beyond redemption, that I had "out-sinned" the Cross of Christ. Eventually, I came to understand God's redeeming love and received His forgiveness. I finally know what people mean by "forgiven and free." The practice of redemption comes from the Greco-Roman slave market where slaves could be freed by the payment of a ransom. But I also have come to understand something else - I belong to Christ.

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price." 1 Cor 6:19b-20a

"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." 1 Cor 7:23.

"...Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:14

What was the price or the ransom that was paid for us?

"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

When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are no longer our own. This means my identity is now in Christ. My purpose, my significance, and my confidence are in Him. My life is to be surrendered to God's will, His purpose and plan.

"You also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God." Rom 7:4

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

The reality is we were never our own. The freedom the world offers is an illusion. Apart from Christ we are in bondage to sin, its power and its penalty. The fact is we all serve someone in this life. We "are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness" Rom 6:16b. I once lived this "empty way of life." I was self-destructing and full of despair. I was completely lost and felt terribly alone.

"What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!" Rom 6:21

But now I have been set free. The Lord has lifted me out of the pit, He took me out of the downward spiral of self-destruction and set my feet upon the Rock (Psalm 40). Where there was once self-destruction, there is now restoration. Where there was brokenness, there is now healing. Where there was despair, there is now hope. Where there was condemnation, there is now none (Romans 8:1). I was once lost, but now I am "found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ" Phil 3:9. I was lonely, but now I know God is with me always and has promised to never leave me or forsake me (Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 13:5). I know now that no one is "beyond redemption," no matter what they have done.

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." Isaiah 44:22

"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,"and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Romans 10:9-13