One of the songs we hope to sing this Sunday is “We’re Redeemed” by Chuck Hooten. I want to encourage you to add it to your listening playlist this weekend. The lyrics are written below, along with the YouTube recording.
But what does it even mean to be “redeemed”? The Bible uses the word in the context of freedom from bondage, curse, or slavery. And since we have all fallen short of God’s glory and are subject to the curse and slavery of sin, we are all in need of redemption. To be set free, however, comes at a cost that we can liken to a “ransom.”
God did not simply cancel our debt. Though His love desired to set us free, His justice still required its payment in full. At this point in Evangelism Explosion’s gospel outline, we would ask, “Do you see the problem?” On the one hand, God did not want to condemn us to death. On the other hand, He must punish sin. He solved this problem by sending Jesus Christ as our Redeemer–the One who would give His own life as a ransom for ours.
As a result of this exchange, we have been granted the forgiveness of sin, peace with God, the covering of His righteousness, and the promise of an everlasting inheritance (along with countless other benefits). And so, when we sing “We’re Redeemed” on Sunday, let us sing it loudly with hearts that are overflowing with gratitude and joy. “We’re redeemed! We’re redeemed! Hallelujah, we’re redeemed! All our sin is washed away! We are sick and we are sore; we are tired and we are poor but we’re redeemed! All our sin is washed away!”
We’re Redeemed
Though our bodies here will fade
Though our strength grows tired and breaks
And the breath thats in our lungs
Will pass away
It may seem that death has won
That our final song is sung
But we’re redeemed
We will see him face to face
We’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
Hallelujah we’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
We are sick and we are sore
We are tired and we are poor
But we’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
Though the nations war and rage
Though the battle drums will pray
And the light seems so dim against the night
Thought the darkness seems strong
And the morning tarries long
We’re redeemed
He will chase the night away
We’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
Hallelujah we’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
We are sick and we are sore
And we are tired and we are poor
But we’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
Though there’s hunger and there’s strife
Suffering comes to every life
Though the pain we bear makes it hard to sing
There’s a song we’ve yet to hear
A melody that’s ringing clear
Come and drink
Be forever satisfied
So let us wash away our tears
And forget our every fear
And remember how our sin was washed away
It was our guilt it was our blame
He took the cross, despised the shame
We’re redeemed
A wounded savior is our plea
Oh we’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
Hallelujah we’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
We are sick and we are sore
We are tired and we are poor
But we’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
We’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
Hallelujah we’re redeemed
We’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
We are sick and we are sore
We are tired and we are poor
We’re redeemed
All our sin is washed away
Your brother,
Ryan
1 Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter 17.
2 Nietzsche’s term.
3 As an aside, I think it’s an interesting rabbit trail to think about why God allowed the magi to raise Herod’s suspicions and only then sent an angel to rerout them. See Matthew 2.
4 “You must, therefore, know that there are two means of fighting: one according to the laws, the other with force; the first way is proper to man, the second to beasts; but because the first, in many cases, is not sufficient, it becomes necessary to have recourse to the second.” (Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter 17)