Responding to the God Who Redeems Us
Scripture — Isaiah 44:22 (NRSV)
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud,
and your sins like mist;
return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Focus
In Isaiah 44 God speaks of the future as if it had already happened, “Return for me, for I have redeemed you” (44:22). Notice that repentance comes as a response to God’s gracious work of salvation. So it is for those of us who have received God’s grace in Christ. As people saved by grace, we are newly created in Christ for a life of good works.
Devotion
It’s pretty common for people–even Christians–to think that we have to be good in order to earn God’s favor. Most of the world’s religions reinforce this view. Redemption comes as God’s response to what we do. It is a reward for good behavior, not an impetus for doing what’s right. But Isaiah 44 tells another story.
The prophecies of Isaiah often convey the Lord’s displeasure with Israel. Because of their persistent rebellion against God, the Lord will finally allow them to reap the sour fruit of their sin. But that’s not the whole story. Through Isaiah, the Lord reveals persistent divine mercy. Beyond punishment there is forgiveness and restoration . . . a new start for Israel.
In Isaiah 44:22, God looks to the future. In that day God will sweep away the sins of the people. So real is this to God that it is described in past tense as if it has already happened: “I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud.” Then God adds, “Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Notice the order here. God does not say, “Return to me, and then I will redeem you.” Rather, God’s redemption of Israel comes first. Their returning, their repentance, are responses to God’s gracious initiative.
And so it is in God’s relationship with us. Through Christ, we have been redeemed, set free from our bondage to sin and death. But in order to receive the gift of our redemption, we must respond to God’s initiative. We must turn away from our sin and turn to God, not to earn God’s favor, but rather to receive the benefits of this favor already given in Christ.
We see this reality clearly in the second chapter of Ephesians. Verses 8 and 9 proclaim this good news: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). There can be no doubt that salvation comes, not on the basis of works, but as an expression of God’s grace. However, verse 9 is not the end of the good news. It continues in verse 10: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Eph 2:10).
When we receive God’s grace through faith, we are newly created in Christ for good works. As people redeemed by God, we are called to participate in God’s work of cosmic redemption and restoration. Everything we do in life, including our daily work and exercise of leadership, should be part of the “way of life” for which God has redeemed us.
Reflect
When did you first “return” to God in response to his redemption through Christ?
Do you find that your life consists of many smaller “returns” as you continue to respond to God’s grace?
What motivates you to leave your sin and turn to God afresh?
Act
As you remember how God has saved you by grace through Jesus Christ, intentionally do something today in response to this amazing good news.
Pray
Gracious God, how I thank you for taking the initiative to set me free. Through Christ, you have paid the price of my redemption. And this is nothing I have earned. It is a gift from you, a reflection of your love for me.
Yet you don’t compel me to live in relationship with you. Rather, you beckon me to return to you. Your Spirit stirs within me, increasing my longing for you. I hear the good news of the Gospel preached, and I ache to be with you. I’m reminded of your grace at your Table and long to have intimate fellowship with you. Help me, Lord, to respond to your merciful redemption, not just once, but each day as I live in relationship with you. Whenever I wander away from you, may I hear your Spirit say, “Oh, return to me.” And may I do just that. Even today. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Repentance, Restitution and Reconciliation (Numbers 5:5-10).
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...