I recently received a gift card that can be redeemed online, and I was able to choose the restaurant where I wanted to use the gift card. Once I made my selection, I received a confirmation email and was informed that my redemption was complete. As I saw the words “You have redeemed your gift” appear on my phone screen, I was drawn to the word “redeemed” and began thinking about all that came with that gift card redemption and my spiritual redemption.
Someone paid a price for that gift.
That gift card was free of charge to me, but someone paid for that gift because they loved me. What a thought it is that Jesus loved me enough to pay for the gift of eternal life for me because He loved me!
I had to make a choice to use that gift.
I could have let that gift card sit in my purse and never used it, although it would have been available to me at any time if I had chosen to use it. What a shame it would have been to let that gift card expire simply because I refused to use it! At some point, if Jesus tarries His coming, I too will reach my “expiration date.” What a shame it would have been if I had let His gift of eternal redemption expire simply because I refused to choose to use it.
I received confirmation of that gift.
As soon as I finished filling out my online information, I received an email confirmation that the gift card had been redeemed. I am now free to use that gift and enjoy the blessings that come with it. When I got saved, Jesus gave me confirmation by giving me the Holy Spirit Who now helps and comforts me every day!
This little gift card gave me such a sweet reminder today: I am redeemed! It is not by anything that I did; the price was paid for me. All I had to do was accept it, and now I have confirmation that His redemption is mine! Just like showing off a dress because it has pockets, it is exciting to tell others about the redemption that Jesus gives!
I love that hymn that says,
“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am!”
– Fanny Crosby
I hope that song gets stuck in your head all day because it truly is amazing to be redeemed! Are you redeemed? Is it not a wonderful feeling to know you have the gift of eternal life? Go tell someone about it today!
By Beth Payton
