Redeemed or Released?
I’ve been reflecting deeply on how God works in our lives—how He redeems the broken parts of our past, but also how He sometimes calls us to leave things behind completely. I often struggle to know which is which in my own life. There are times when God has taken what seemed like painful or wasted years and turned them into something meaningful. But then there are moments when I feel Him calling me to walk away, severing ties with what no longer aligns with His purposes.
And maybe that’s part of faith—learning to trust His wisdom when it’s time to redeem, and when it’s time to release.
This journey of understanding started for me in Exodus 25:1-8, where God gives Moses instructions for building the tabernacle. At first glance, it’s just a list of materials: gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, spices, and precious stones. But when you pause to think about it, you realize something profound—these materials weren’t just ordinary supplies. They were treasures that Israel had taken from Egypt when they left slavery behind.
The Soils of Egypt: God’s Redemption of Israel’s Past
When God freed the Israelites from Egypt, He didn’t just deliver them and say, “Go.” He told them to ask the Egyptians for gold, silver, and other valuables (Exodus 12:35-36). And miraculously, the Egyptians gave freely, pouring out wealth on the very people they had oppressed for generations. What’s amazing is that this wasn’t just “compensation” for their suffering—it was part of God’s larger plan.
In Exodus 25, God calls for these very treasures to be used in the construction of the tabernacle, the place where He would dwell among His people. Think about that: what was once a symbol of their slavery—the wealth of Egypt—was now being consecrated to create a holy place of worship. God took something tied to their painful past and transformed it into a means of intimacy with Him.
This is one of the most beautiful aspects of God’s character. He doesn’t just rescue us; He redeems the very things that once hurt us. What was once a reminder of oppression became part of the place where they would experience God’s presence. Their deliverance wasn’t just freedom from Egypt—it was an invitation to worship and communion.
But that’s not the whole story, is it? While God redeemed the treasures of Egypt, He also commanded them to leave behind the culture, idolatry, and mindset of slavery. The Israelites struggled with this. At Mount Sinai, they used some of the gold from Egypt to create the golden calf (Exodus 32). They clung to what God had called them to leave behind, and it led to sin.
This tension between redemption and release is something I feel deeply. How do we know which parts of our past God wants to transform, and which parts He’s calling us to leave behind completely?
When God Redeems the Past: Paul’s Story
One of the clearest examples of God redeeming the past is Paul, formerly known as Saul. His past wasn’t just painful—it was outright sinful. He had been a zealous persecutor of Christians, responsible for imprisoning and even approving the deaths of believers. By all human logic, Paul’s past should have disqualified him from serving God.
But that’s not how God works.
On the road to Damascus, Jesus confronted Paul—not to destroy him, but to redeem him (Acts 9:1-6). What’s incredible is that God didn’t erase Paul’s past. He didn’t make him forget his former zeal or hide his history of persecution. Instead, He transformed that passion and redirected it toward preaching the gospel. Paul’s testimony of grace became one of the most powerful examples of God’s redemptive work.
In Galatians 1:13-16, Paul acknowledges his past but frames it in light of God’s mercy:
“For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it… But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…”
Paul didn’t ignore his past—he used it as a testimony. His experience of God’s grace allowed him to proclaim the gospel with authority. His past didn’t define him, but it became part of the story God used to change lives.
When God Asks Us to Leave the Past Behind: The Samaritan Woman
But then there are moments when God calls us to leave the past behind entirely. One of the most striking examples of this is the Samaritan woman in John 4. Her past was marked by broken relationships and shame. When she met Jesus at the well, she was living with a man who wasn’t her husband, and she came to draw water in the heat of the day to avoid the judgment of others.
Jesus didn’t ignore her past—in fact, He gently exposed it (John 4:16-18). But instead of condemning her, He offered her living water, a new identity rooted in Him. What’s powerful is what she does next. After encountering Jesus, she leaves her water jar behind (John 4:28). This small detail carries so much meaning. The water jar wasn’t just a physical object—it symbolized her old life, her shame, and her daily struggles. But when she met Jesus, she didn’t need it anymore.
She left it behind and ran into town, telling everyone about the man who knew her completely and offered her redemption. Her testimony led many to believe in Christ (John 4:39-42).
How Do We Know When GOD WILL Redeem or Release the Past?
This is the question I keep coming back to. Sometimes God takes our pain, failures, and experiences and transforms them into something holy, like He did with Paul. Other times, He calls us to leave them behind, like the Samaritan woman leaving her jar at the well.
So, how do we know which path God is leading us down? Here are a few reflections I’m learning:
1. Is the past producing spiritual fruit or spiritual stagnation? If God is using your testimony, experiences, or lessons to minister to others, that may be a sign that He is redeeming it. But if clinging to the past is holding you back, weighing you down with guilt, or keeping you from growing, it may be something He’s asking you to release.
2. Is there peace or conviction?When God redeems the past, there is often peace in how He uses it for His glory. But when He calls you to leave something behind, there is often a sense of conviction—a holy discomfort that says, “This no longer belongs in your life.”
3. What does Scripture say about it? God’s Word is our ultimate guide. If the past involves sin, unhealthy patterns, or idols, the Bible makes it clear that those things must be left behind (Hebrews 12:1). But if the past involves lessons of grace, perseverance, or testimony, it can be a tool for ministry (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Trusting the Redeemer
Whether God is redeeming your past or calling you to leave it behind, the goal is the same: to draw you closer to Him. The Israelites’ story in Exodus reminds us that God is in the business of transformation. He can take what once enslaved us and use it for His glory. But He also loves us too much to let us stay attached to anything that hinders our walk with Him.
For me, this journey is ongoing. There are parts of my past that God has redeemed and used for good, and there are parts He’s asked me to release, even when it’s hard. But I’m learning to trust that He knows what’s best for me.
If you’re struggling with this too, you’re not alone. Ask God for wisdom, and trust that the same Redeemer who led Israel out of Egypt, transformed Paul, and restored the Samaritan woman is working in your life as well.
What parts of your past is God redeeming, and what might He be asking you to leave behind? I’d love to hear your thoughts as we walk this journey of faith together.
