The doctrine of Redemption is one of the most important doctrines of the system of faith. A mistake on this point will inevitably lead to a mistake through the entire system of our belief.
- Particular Redemption - February 28, 1858
All Christians believe that Christ died to redeem, but not all Christians believe the same thing about redemption and its workings. There is a difference in the teachings as to the nature and extent of atonement and the ultimate design of redemption. There are those who would say that Christ died to make the salvation of all people possible and it His death does not hold any sort of particularity. But Christ dies with an object in view and that is the accomplishment of His Father’s sovereign will. Christ came with the intention of saving a multitude of people that cannot be numbered. And because of this every person for whom He died will undoubtedly be washed in His blood and be saved to stand before His Father’s throne.
Redeemed
You know the story. Man had sinned against his God, and God, the Just One, must punish sin. But it was agreed that, if a plan could be devised by which justice should be satisfied, mercy should have full play for all her kind designs. What a day was that when the eternal wisdom revealed to man the plan by which the Son of God should suffer instead of us, that so justice might have its claims discharged in full, and yet mercy enjoy its boundless, unlimited sway!
- The Joy of Redemption
In the act of redemption God justifies His people by putting His wrath on Jesus so that the price is paid for sin, while then applying His mercy to those who would be saved. It is what only God can rightfully do. The world rolled on in depressive existence waiting for its Savior. At the very moment of time He came to fulfill His Father’s plan. He labored upon the earth, was despised and rejected, and hung on a criminal’s cross. Laid in a tomb that would only temporality house Him, He took the sins of God’s people with Him to the grave.
There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Who can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect, since Jesus died? If you rest in Jesus Christ, he has paid all your debts; you are out of debt; Christ has discharged all your liabilities, and you are free. Let your soul, then, be happy.
- The Joy of Redemption
While still on earth people continue to be tempted, wrestle with sin, and deal with corruption. After death, he will be perfect and there will be full and complete redemption. Nothing will be as joyous as the voices of the redeemed who have been fully delivered from their passions and depravity.
All Sufficient
The heights of Christ’s redemption of His people cannot be measured. His death prevails over all of the elect’s sin no matter how steep and high it resides. The sufficiency of Christ’s death can be compared to the flood waters of Noah. Every mountaintop of sin is totally covered. It is the greatness of man’s guilt that should give one the breadth of Christ’s sufficiency.
O ye troubled consciences! O ye weary and heavy-laden ones! O ye that are groaning on account of sin! the great redemption now proclaimed to you is all-sufficient for your wants; and though your numerous sins exceed the stars that deck the sky, here is an atonement made for them all—a river which can overflow the whole of them, and carry them away from you for ever.
- Particular Redemption - February 28, 1858
God’s Choice
Man cannot spiritually wound, or convince another of sin, without the Lord. No preacher whether he voices the thunderous truths of God, or speaks plainly and gently in love. Only the Holy Spirit of God can convince of sin and man’s need for redemption. And only the Lord God can heal the heart through redemption. There is no heart too far from God that would prevent Him from being able to pierce and heal. And it is His redeeming love that does so. His love is like a soothing balm. Redemption is God’s decision to both wound and heal His people and it is through the blood of Christ that it is accomplished.
Do but cry to him, and you shall find a healing; for God can heal you and none else. Out upon those who dream that outward religiousness can do you good. Away, away with the deceivers who would tell you that they can give you pardon. No man living can absolve his fellow-sinners: the pretense is the superlative of blasphemy. God is in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation, and we are glad to proclaim that word, and point you to the Lord Jesus who is exalted on high to give repentance and remission of sins.
- The Royal Prerogative
Disclaimer: These articles are not meant to argue a point of doctrine as true or not. For many doctrinal beliefs there is breadth in how to interpret and understand it. There are certain ones that are non-negotiable and those will be accepted as understood by the reader. These writings are summaries of what Charles Spurgeon taught, preached, or communicated about various doctrines within the church. They are provided for informational purposes.