Redemption for All We Are

Even the finest silver must be refined—redemption touches all we are.

Devotional Credit: In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Today’s reflection from E. Stanley Jones opens our eyes to a surprising truth: what most of the world strives for—wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification—is still not enough without redemption. That one word, redemption, holds the power to free us not only from our failures but also from our finest virtues when they are fueled by pride. This is a shocking and freeing insight.

The ancient world, from Greek philosophers to Jewish legalists to Hindu mystics, earnestly pursued moral and spiritual ideals. Yet their pursuit became self-centered because they started with themselves rather than with the Redeemer. Their wisdom became intellectual pride, their righteousness became smug superiority, and their sanctification turned into spiritual aloofness. These self-generated virtues rotted from within, like lilies that fester, as Shakespeare said.

But Christ is our redemption—not only from the worst parts of us but also from the parts we falsely label as “best.” Even our spiritual accomplishments, if born from ego, require redemption. The wonder of Jesus is that He came not just for the broken and the scandalous, but for the proud and the polished too. Everything—yes, everything—must be redeemed, and in Christ, everything can be.

✍🏼 Personalized Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture

I did not come to tidy up your best efforts; I came to rescue you from both your failures and your pride. Your finest thoughts, your moral victories, even your most passionate acts of devotion—if they are born from self, they are stained with self. But you are no longer in self; you are in Me.

In Me, your wisdom is not from books or brilliance but from My Spirit, who reveals what eye has not seen and ear has not heard. In Me, your righteousness is not a résumé to present but a robe I wrapped around you. In Me, your sanctification is not self-discipline—it is the radiance of My presence transforming you as you abide.

So do not fear when I strip away the things you thought made you worthy. I am not diminishing you—I am redeeming all of you. The mask of pride must fall so that My glory may shine through your yielded face. I am your redemption. I am the one who rewrites both your past and your pride. And I have done it.

You are Mine—redeemed not in part, but fully. Walk in this freedom, for whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Scriptures referenced: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 3:4–9; Isaiah 64:6; John 8:36; Romans 8:1–2

🪞 Real-Life Analogy

It’s like polishing silver that’s been handed down for generations. At first glance, it gleams with a proud heritage. But beneath the polish, tarnish has crept in. Only when it’s scrubbed with something outside of itself—something with the power to purify—does the true beauty emerge. Our virtues, like silver, shine only when redeemed by the hands of the One who restores.

🙏🏼 Prayer of Confidence

Father, thank You that You have not only dealt with my obvious sins, but You have also redeemed the subtle pride in my so-called strengths. I rejoice that I no longer need to prove anything, perfect anything, or parade anything—I am redeemed in Christ, fully and forever. I rest in the freedom that all I am, and all I have tried to be, is now covered in His sufficiency. Your redemption reaches every corner of my story, and that is more than enough.