The Miracle of Redemption

On Friday evening at the Time out event, we were privileged to hear from Brad Wilcox. I love listening to him. He always manages to remind me that I am loved. He reminds me of what the atonement really means to me. And he reminds me that God is mindful of each one of us. This year, he spoke about the miracle of redemption. He talked with us about the many names of Christ. And how we interchangeably use the names of Savior and Redeemer.

Savior 

Definition:  One who saves, preserves, or delivers from destruction or danger.
Definition:  Specifically: The (or our, your, etc.) Savior, he who brings salvation to men; Jesus Christ.

Redeemer

Definition:  Someone who redeems or buys back.

Definition:  Redeemer, Christianity, Jesus

Brad Wilcox said:  

We often think that the words Savior and Redeemer are synonymous, but they actually describe separate aspects of the Savior's ministry.  We know what Jesus saved us from, but do we ever think about what He saved us for?  The miracle of the atonement is not just that we can be saved, but that we can be changed.  

The Savior saves us from our sins. He saves us from the destruction of our spirits.  He provides a remission for our sins and a way that we can return home to our Heavenly Father.  
As a Redeemer, He frees us from the penalties of sin by buying our debt.  A debt that He willingly paid for.  A debt that He took from us so that He can make us better.  


Does anyone remember the old television show, The Six Million Dollar Man?  At the very beginning of the program, the announcer comes on in the back ground and you hear him say, "We can rebuild him.  We can make him better than before".  
The interesting thing is that is what our Savior does for each one of us, and it doesn't cost us any money at all. He takes who we are, right this minute and rebuilds us into the people that He needs us to become.  
Remember the story in Luke 17, the one about the 10 lepers.  Jesus healed them all, and only one came back to give Him thanks.  In verse 19 it says:  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
I love that part! I love that Jesus physically and spiritually changed that made. He not only healed him, He taught him about faith. He changed his life.  The Latin word for "sacrifice" is sacrificium, from sacra "sacred " and facere "to make". So, when we talk about the sacrifice of the Savior, we are saying that His sacrifice is to make sacred.  

I love that Brother Wilcox talked about the miracle at the wedding, where Jesus changed the water into wine.  He went on to say the the true miracle wasn't just changing the water, but that Jesus showed He has the power to change things.  

Big bangs cannot ever love you the way a big brother can.

And nebulous higher powers cannot love you the way your Heavenly Father can.  

We all go through trials.  Those help us to become who we need to be.  Ask yourself this one thing, "If He had answered the moment I called, would I ever have become better?".  I know that the answer to that one, for me, is a resounding "no". 

Yes, God is there!

Yes, He knows who you are!

Yes, He loves you.  

He is your Savior and your Redeemer.  As we strive to do His teachings, we will develop increased faith in Him.   Think what a difference we could make in this world if each one of us would do as He said:  

"Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind...  Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  Matt. 22:37, 39