Relationship Between Redemption and Creation

Watchman Nee wrote in Finest of the Wheat, Volume 2

"To be a Christian is on the one hand receiving the benefit of redemption but on the other hand arriving at God’s purpose of creation. Without redemption there can be no relationship with God. But once having been redeemed, we need to consecrate ourselves to God so that His original purpose in creating man might be achieved. If we only notice the gospel, then that is only taking in half of the matter. There is another half which God desires; and that is, He wants man to drive out Satan from this earth and to rule here for Him. This other half the Church must likewise possess. Hebrews 2 shows us that the end of redemption is not simply for man’s sins to be forgiven and for him to be saved; it is also to recover him back to the original purpose of creation."

The reason why this is amazing to me is most people don't even have the first stage of redemption to be able to effectively overcome and defeat Satan in the world. They are busy in the world, not in Christ. Most people don't have redemption which is restoring us back to creation, because most people refuse the cross of salvation. You might say they believe in their own strength, not relying on the strength of God through redemption to save a wretched sinner.

Redemption is like the space or valley between two mountains. You go down one mountain because you are a fallen creature, but you are supported as there is no further to go down and now you can begin to ascend the next mountain because you have eternal life and are a new creation of God.