In Nehemiah's day, former captives were bringing their brethren into bondage. They were charging usury or interest on top of the price of redemption (Neh. 5:1-13). Charging reasonable interest for home loans and other carnal things is fine, but adding anything to Christ in redemption is damnation (Ex. 22:25). In this day, false prophets charge you usury. They demand that you do something or feel something before you can enjoy redemption and sweet liberty in Christ. Others zealously motivate you to pay God interest after the price of redemption. You're told that Christ pays the principle, but you must pay a little extra as the fair return for His great help– you must add your good works to what He accomplished if you'll really be pleasing to God.
Yet, redemption is the one-time accomplishment of the Lord Jesus Christ. The price of redemption is nothing less than eternal death, which you will either pay for yourself in hell, or the Lord Jesus already paid it all for you. "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15)." In Judges 16:5, the Philistines sought to take Samson, so they bribed Delilah to entice him. They knew that she would give herself for a price. Yet, God will not be bribed for the price of a harlot. No matter how much you offer Him, He will not give eternal life or one blessing of grace to any sinner for any other reason than complete redemption in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Redemption is deliverance from condemnation into a state of no condemnation. No other payment of righteousness is needed; no other holiness is required; and according to God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge, every redeemed sinner stands worthy of all grace. Every believing parent is fit for God's promises to parents, and every pastor is fit for God's promises to pastors. Just as the Word of the Lord came to John the Baptist when he was in the wilderness, and he came preaching (Luke 3:2-3); even so, the Word of the Lord comes to God's elect, finds us in need, exalts Christ Jesus, and thereby gives us everything necessary to glorify Him.
Abiding in Christ Jesus and bringing forth much fruit is trusting that your good standing with God has nothing to do with your good works. You'll look to Christ for all of your redemption. This is how Samson called upon the name of the Lord with his eyes gouged out (Judges 16:28, 30). He looked beyond his past goodness, his sin, and God's chastisement (which could have easily sunk him in despair). He saw redemption, justification in an imputed righteousness, and the tender mercies of our Covenant God. Therefore, he trusted; he called; and God gave him strength. Like Samson, saints and seeking sinners learn to hope in darkness.If you come to Christ, then you'll come to him something similar to Samson. You will call upon the Name of the Lord out of the darkness and spiritual blindness of your past works, you'll trust Him, and He'll give you deliverance (Rom. 10:13).