THE WONDER OF REDEMPTION By Faith Bamidele

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It is such a great privilege to be at the Virtual World Convention 2025, and I want to say a warm welcome to this year’s convention. God is ready to do amazing things in our lives. We are wonders to our generation and to our world, and the world will see Christ through us. God will make you a wonder in the name of Jesus Christ.

I will be sharing on something very important — the foundation of our walk with God, The Wonder of Redemption. You have been bought with a price by Christ. You are redeemed.

So, what is the wonder in that singular act that Jesus did? When I looked at this, the first thing I wanted to do was to understand what redemption really means. We always say, “I’m redeemed, I’m redeemed.” But what does it really mean to be redeemed?

To redeem means to secure the release or recovery of somebody or something by paying a price. It carries the meaning of ransom, atonement, and substitution.

So, when we say we are redeemed, it means somebody paid a price for us. As believers, this sounds normal — we know Christ died on the cross. But many times, we don’t truly understand the significance of that great act by the Savior of the world.

When we are redeemed, we are forgiven, justified, adopted, reconciled with God, and made holy. Everything that pertains to life and godliness has already been made available to us in Christ.

SO HOW SHOULD THIS AFFECT MY LIFE?

Upon reflection, I realized that understanding what redemption really means transformed me as I was preparing this message. If we truly grasp the finished work of Christ on the cross, we would live as true wonders. The challenges around us would not overwhelm us, because we would always remember: Christ has paid the ultimate price.

I am not living this life to go through what Christ has already gone through for me. My faith is renewed because of His finished work.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WONDER?

Isaiah 8:18 says: “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.”

So we know we are for signs and wonders, taking our cue from Scripture. A wonder is a miracle, something extraordinary, something marvelous, something amazing. So when the Bible calls us wonders by redemption, it means that through the price Jesus paid, our very lives are meant to be testimonies of God’s greatness.

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

I always reflect on the parable of the prodigal son. It shows us that God is not looking for Christians who will judge one another, but rather He is a Father who is ever loving and merciful. People may look at your past and say, “Oh, this one failed, this one missed it, this one is too old, or too weak, or too sinful.” But God is saying: “You are redeemed. I have forgiven your past. I have called you My own.”

So, no matter the mistakes of the past or present, as long as you return to God, He receives you. Luke 15:20-24 records: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

This is how God sees us — not as condemned, but as redeemed!

“IT IS FINISHED”

John 19:30 says: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

When Jesus declared “It is finished,” He meant that everything required for our salvation was complete. If it is sickness — He conquered it. If it is sin — He conquered it. If it is lack — He conquered it. He took our place, bore our sin, and became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

REDEMPTION MAKES YOU A WONDER

Let us look at a few ways:

1. You are Called and Chosen: Isaiah 43:1 says: “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Your identity is not in the world’s opinion but in Christ. You are already chosen by God.
2. You are Redeemed from the Curse of the Law: Galatians 3:13-14 says: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” No curse, no generational covenant, no yoke can prevail against you — because Christ has redeemed you.
3. You are Redeemed from Wickedness and Lawlessness: Titus 2:14 says:
   “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Christ has purified you. Your past no longer defines you. You are now a vessel for good works — a wonder in your generation.
4. You are Adopted as a Son of God: Galatians 4:4-7 says: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” You are no longer a slave but a son. You are a joint-heir with Christ. That is the wonder of redemption.

LIVING IN GRACE

Romans 3:24-26 says: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Redemption is all by grace, not by our works. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. But by grace, we have been justified and declared righteous in Christ.

ETERNAL HOPE

Another wonder of redemption is the promise of eternal life. John 3:16 reminds us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Our hope is not only in this world but also in eternity with God.

CALL TO SALVATION

If you are here today and you are not sure of where you stand with Christ — or if you have drifted into sin — you can return to Him. Say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I surrender my life to you today. Thank you for the finished work on Calvary. Make my life your wonder on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” You are a wonder by redemption. You have all that pertains to life and godliness. You are an heir with Christ, a joint-heir with Jesus. You are called to shine on the earth as a wonder to your generation. Say with me: “I am a wonder!” God bless you, and have a glorious convention.