Redemption means to purchase on behalf of another.  I was a word used in the ancient world to describe when a person would pruchase a slave's freedom.  It was an exchange, where a price would be arranged by the slave's owner and then paid by the one who was setting the slave free.

When we understand our position in Christ before God is secure and our future glorious, it will impact the way we see ourselves in thsi world.  Because we are a people with great purpose and great hope, we can live joyfully in this life, despite living in a world of evil.

God's voice from His word gives us great clarity about who we are.  God's definition of who man is is our greatest hope for racial reconcilation and justice, understanding our sexuality, and our overall purpose of to serve God's purposes and serve one another.