These all describe the wonderful blessings that have come to the believing sinner through the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though they do differ in meaning (except for “remission” and “forgiveness,” for they mean the same thing), they are vitally linked. Let’s take a brief look at each one.

1. REDEMPTION means, “to buy back.” In Biblical days it often referred to “purchasing a slave and setting him free.” This is what God has done for the repentant and believing sinner; He has purchased us with the blood of His Son and set us free from sin! Romans 7:14 teaches us that all men are “sold under sin.” Jesus taught this in John 8:34 when He said, “Whoever commits sin is a SLAVE OF SIN.” But Jesus went to the cross to REDEEM us by giving His life and shedding His blood as the “purchase price.” We see this truth in Ephesians 1:7, “In Him we have REDEMPTION through His blood.” It is also stated clearly in 1^st Peter 1:18-19, “Knowing that you were not REDEEMED with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” There is also a “present” and “future” REDEMPTION. Titus 2:13 speaks of the former, “Who gave Himself for us, that He might REDEEM us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people.” In other words, Christ didn’t just die to REDEEM us from the PENALTY of sin, but also from the POWER of sin. Our “future” redemption is seen in Romans 8:23, “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY.” We all know that our bodies are still subject to sickness and death, but the day is coming when we will receive our new, glorified bodies. At that very moment we shall be taken home to glory and REDEEMED from the PRESENCE of sin.
2. REMISSION or FORGIVENESS literally means, “sending away” and that’s exactly what God did to our sins through the death of His Son: He sent them away! The Psalmist testifies to this is Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” How could a holy and a righteous God do this? Ah, dear friend, He could do this because His beloved Son took our sins upon Himself, was judged for them, and put them away. Let’s cite three verses to confirm this. Isaiah 53:6 states, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” 1^st Peter 2:24 reads, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree.” And Hebrews 9:26 declares: “But now once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” These verses all apply to the believer, but if you have not yet believed on the Lord Jesus as your Savior, won’t you do so right now and then you will know your sins have been forgiven. Acts 10:43 says, “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
3. PROPITIATION means, “to appease, to satisfy.” When Jesus Christ laid down His life on the cross as a sacrifice of sin, He settled the great “sin question” and GOD WAS SATISFIED. God is holy and righteous and sin had to be dealt with; somebody had to pay the price that sin demanded. The marvel is that God sent His only Son to pay that price! 1^st John 4:10 tells us, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS.” In infinite love God Himself designed the plan of salvation whereby His Son, on the cross, would be the “satisfying sacrifice” for our sins. Now that the sacrifice has been made, God can offer salvation to all mankind. One must simply BELIEVE in the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to be justified. We see this in Romans 3:24-25, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a PROPITIATION THROUGH FAITH IN HIS BLOOD” (KJV). Again, has my reader believed on Christ? (230.9) (DO)