Six benefits of Christian redemption

Transitions in life are critical. Whether you know it or not, you are constantly transitioning or changing. Change is inevitable. Everything changes over time and unfortunately, more often than not, the church is left behind.

The book of Ruth records an important fact ‘the last can be the first’. Ruth moved from Moab to Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi after a severe famine left them both widows. She is a nonentity and nothing is going right for her. She is a young widow, with no children and a Moabite - an enemy of Israel.

Ruth stuck by Naomi through thick and thin and vowed not to leave her no matter what. This love and loyalty made Naomi do whatever it took to ensure Ruth was restored and happy.

She devised a plan to get her a husband using her experience and relatives around. So Naomi sends her to her kinsman Boaz. Although earlier on she was bitter because of what had happened to them in Moab, she was now hopeful that her plan would work; and the will of God would prevail.

Ruth washed and anointed herself. There are some things (dirt) you need to get rid of to transition. Put on good clothes and some perfume. Get a makeover both physically and spiritually. Put on joy, kindness, love and gentleness. She was ready for a husband even though he had not yet come.

She waited for the right time to make her move. Timing is crucial in your road to destiny. Everything operates on time and God makes all things beautiful in his own time.

At the opportune time with no one else present, Ruth shared with Boaz her matter. Many people’s destinies are aborted because they share their dreams with the wrong persons.

She uncovered his feet as a signal that she was interested in him. She did not have to be overly seductive to wake him up and get his attention. Any blessing that is ‘asleep’ needs to be woken up! She observed the instructions given by Naomi to the letter.

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She did not just want a kinsman redeemer but also a husband. A double blessing! However, he needed to fit the qualification of being a blood relative, be able to and willing to redeem.

There was a kinsman closer than Boaz but he was neither able nor willing to redeem Naomi. He was not willing to take the risk. Boaz had to go to the city gates where all official business took place. This shows how Jesus Christ our redeemer took the risk to redeem us publicly by hanging on the cross.

What are the benefits of redemption? First, it restores life. We have been restored by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. “He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For your rod and staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:3-4)

Second, it gives new life. You do not get your life back, you get a new and better one where everything about you is transformed and lifted to higher levels. Third, it provides a faithful and true helper. Everything that Boaz promised to do for Naomi he did. You can count on the promises of God because they are guaranteed - they are yea and amen!

Fourth, it exalts in public. Boaz announced to the elders and all the people at the courthouse that he had redeemed all the land and property that Naomi had sold; which belonged to her husband Elimelech.

Boaz restored all that belonged to her and her family. When God begins to exalt you, he will announce it publicly. Whatever you have lost in the past is being restored in full in Jesus name!

Fifth, it gives a word of prophecy. Boaz told the elders that he would marry Ruth. The elders prophesied, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachael and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel.

“And may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. May your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring God will give you from this woman.” (Ruth 4:11-12)

Sixth, it speaks of acceptance. God has accepted us all who are redeemed. “He has predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

To the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the beloved. In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Ephesians 1:5-8).