In What Ways Does God Restore What Was Broken by Sin? (Redeemer)
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible presents God as the Redeemer—the One who restores what was broken by sin. Redemption is more than forgiveness; it is the comprehensive work of God to bring sinners back into fellowship with Himself, to heal creation, and to establish His eternal Kingdom. Sin shattered communion with God, leaving humanity alienated, guilty, and enslaved. Yet God, in His mercy, stepped into this brokenness to redeem His people and restore them to life.
The Redeemer is not only a rescuer but also a restorer. He removes sin, reconciles enemies, liberates captives, and renews what was corrupted. God’s plan of redemption reveals His character as righteous, merciful, and faithful. For those exploring how this attribute connects with the larger character of God, see the broader series on the Attributes of God.
This article will explore three ways God restores what was broken by sin: (1) reconciliation with Himself, (2) liberation from bondage, and (3) renewal of fellowship through the Spirit.
1. Reconciliation with God Through Christ
The first and most fundamental restoration God accomplishes is reconciliation with Himself. Sin severed humanity’s relationship with God, creating enmity between Creator and creature. Romans 5:10 reminds us that “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” God took the initiative. He did not wait for sinners to return; He reached out in grace while humanity remained in rebellion.
This reconciliation required the removal of sin. On the cross, Christ became the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2), satisfying divine justice and turning away wrath. The Father’s purpose of fellowship could not be overthrown by human unrighteousness. In Christ’s death, God Himself interposed between humanity and its ruin, halting the self-destruction of sin and providing a way back into fellowship.
This restoration rests on the Son’s eternal relationship with the Father. Because He is the true Son, perfectly righteous and obedient, He could bear the sins of the unrighteous and restore fellowship. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2. Liberation from Bondage to Sin and Death
Redemption also means liberation. Sin is not only guilt but also power, a tyrant that enslaves. Humanity apart from God is in bondage to sin, the curse of the law, and the fear of death. But the Redeemer breaks these chains.
Christ’s death liberates believers from divine wrath, guilt, and the burden of law-keeping. Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” His sacrifice removes the crushing weight of judgment. Likewise, His resurrection delivers from death itself. Hebrews 2:14–15 proclaims that Christ destroyed the one who held the power of death, freeing those who were enslaved by fear.
Redemption therefore restores freedom. No longer under the dominion of sin, believers can walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). They are rescued from the tyranny of Satan and transferred into the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:13–14). This liberation is both definitive and ongoing. Sin no longer reigns, yet believers grow daily in holiness as they live out their freedom in Christ.
3. Renewal of Fellowship Through the Spirit
Finally, God restores what sin broke by renewing fellowship with Himself through the Holy Spirit. Redemption is not only forgiveness of past sins or liberation from guilt—it is communion restored. The Spirit seals believers, guaranteeing their inheritance and drawing them into the fellowship of the Father and the Son (Ephesians 1:13–14).
The Spirit re-incorporates sinners into the family of God, making them children who cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). He renews their minds, empowers obedience, and assures them of their adoption. This renewal means that restoration is not simply external but internal. God does not only remove sin’s penalty but also transforms hearts, creating new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Redeemer’s work is therefore Trinitarian. The Father purposes redemption, the Son accomplishes it through His sacrificial death and resurrection, and the Spirit applies it, sealing and sustaining believers in fellowship. All three Persons of the Trinity work together to restore what was broken, ensuring that God’s people are not only forgiven but fully reconciled and renewed.
Conclusion
God restores what was broken by sin through His redeeming work. He reconciles His enemies through Christ’s death, liberates captives from guilt and death, and renews fellowship through the Spirit. Redemption is both a definitive act in history—the cross and resurrection—and an ongoing process as believers are conformed to Christ.
This attribute of God as Redeemer brings hope in the present and assurance for the future. Even in the face of human sin, God’s purpose of righteous fellowship cannot be thwarted. In Christ, the broken are made whole, the enslaved are set free, and the estranged are brought home.
The Gospel proclaims this redemption as the center of history and the foundation of the coming Kingdom. God as Redeemer will one day bring the restoration to completion in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and fellowship with God is forever unbroken.
Bible Verses About God as Redeemer
Romans 5:10 – “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
1 John 2:2 – “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Galatians 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”
Hebrews 2:14–15 – “Through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death… and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
Colossians 1:13–14 – “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Romans 6:4 – “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”
Ephesians 1:13–14 – “You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.”
Romans 8:15 – “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
