Tag: Redemption

Redemption, Justification, and Sanctification

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FLOYD ROGERS

The Bible teaches that God takes powerful action in the lives of people through three important works. First, redemption is when God pays the price to rescue us from the damage and punishment of sin, and He did this through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is something only God can do.

Next is justification. In this, God — the righteous judge — announces that a person is no longer guilty of sin. He declares them innocent, worthy, and even calls them His own child. Again, this is entirely the work of God, not something people can earn for themselves.

Then comes sanctification. This is the ongoing process where God sets a person apart, marking them as His own. Over time, He shapes them to become more like Jesus. It’s a lifelong journey guided by God’s hand.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:17

Homosexuality, Sin and Redemption

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JEFF TURNER

The discussion about homosexuality and the Bible centres on one key issue: does Scripture approve or reject it? For those who trust the Bible, the answer is direct. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the Apostle Paul lists behaviours that prevent people from inheriting the kingdom of God, including homosexuality. However, he also speaks of hope and change, saying, “such were some of you,” but through salvation, people were washed, sanctified, and justified.

These three words are important. Washed means cleansed from sin. Sanctified refers to being set apart from the control of sin. Justified is God declaring a person righteous, crediting them with Christ’s righteousness. Together, they describe the moment of salvation — a complete spiritual transformation.

This passage, however, does not claim a believer will never struggle with sin again. Even those saved by grace are warned to live holy lives and avoid sin. The Bible encourages Christians to actively pursue righteousness, knowing that while sin’s total power is broken, its temptations may still appear.

Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,

Romans 6:12

The Final Warning of Hebrews: Embracing Faith in Christ

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JEFF TURNER

Many Christians wrestle with sin throughout their lives. At times, this fight leads to moments of deep sorrow, and even painful failure. Some passages in the Bible can feel especially heavy during these times—Hebrews 10:26 is one of them. It warns that if someone continues to sin willfully after knowing the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice that can take away those sins. Instead, what remains is the dreadful certainty of judgment and a consuming fire for those who stand against God.

This warning in Hebrews is not aimed at Christians who struggle and repent, but at a specific group: Jews who had heard the gospel, understood its message, and may have even agreed with it intellectually—but never truly committed to Christ. They were still holding on to their old religious practices, unwilling to let go and trust in Jesus fully.

The entire book of Hebrews urges these individuals to take that final step. The message is clear: once you know the truth about Jesus and still choose to walk away, there is no other path to forgiveness. There is no backup plan. Rejecting Christ means rejecting the only hope of salvation.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

The Weight of Guilt and Freedom Through Christ

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JEFF TURNER

Everyone knows how heavy guilt feels. It weighs on our shoulders when we know we’ve done something wrong. We wish we could go back and make different choices, but we can’t undo the past.

Even people who don’t openly believe in God feel responsible to something greater than themselves. They sense they must answer for their actions. Many carry this burden silently, trying to hide it from others. But the guilt remains, pressing down like a heavy load.

This is why the message of Jesus brings such hope. Though He never did anything wrong, He chose to take the punishment for our wrongdoing. When He died on the cross, He completely paid for our sins.

As the Old Testament says in Isaiah 53:6, “All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all To fall on Him,” something Jesus fulfilled in the New Testament. This is the greatest gift anyone could receive – to have their guilt completely removed, never to return. Through Jesus’ death, justice was fully satisfied. The crushing weight of guilt can finally be lifted.