Redeemed From an Empty, Meaningless Life
“Your hands may be full of money and your brain full of information but if your heart is empty, your life is very empty,” — T.B. Joshua.
A common quest of every human being on earth is to find that one thing which adds meaning and purpose to their life. That is what Peter refers to in 1 Peter 1:18 (KJV) of the Bible: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.
Today, most people know that silver and gold have no redemptive power, and we could add to that, neither does entertainment, fame, or anything else. I recently listened to a man who was very wealthy; he owned companies and land. He was also a commercial pilot, and owned and flew his own airplane. He said, “One night I lay in bed and thought to myself, is this all there is?” Later he did find redemption in Jesus Christ, and it transformed his life, and now he uses his resources to help others and to spread the good news of redemption.
The word redemption is from the Greek word “lytroo,” which related redemption from slavery in ancient Rome. It is often applied by preachers and evangelists as a redemption from sin, death, hell, and the devil, which is true, but Peter is also referring to a redemption from a way of life handed down from tradition, which in those days was idolatry. So, according to Peter it was a redemption from an aimless conduct received by tradition from their fathers; it was redemption from a way of life outside of God’s Will. Peter uses the Greek word for an aimless life “mataios,” which can mean “empty or futile.” So, that is where the title of this article originated: “Redeemed from an Empty, Meaningless Life.” It makes no difference how successful a person may be or how wealthy or famous; if they have no relationship with God, their life is empty and without meaning.
Jesus shed His blood and gave His life to ransom the soul of man. Redemption, as stated above, relates to the image of buying slaves in the market place, which was common in the times of Jesus, the difference being Jesus sets people free not only from an aimless empty life but also from the bondage of sin and death by His own death on the cross. The bible says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD,” Romans 6:23 (KJV). The ransom was the very blood of Jesus Christ. Blood in the Bible symbolizes life: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul,” Leviticus 17:11 (KJV). The shed blood of Jesus made atonement for every sinful soul who will trust in Him.
God wants to take up your case and redeem you from an empty meaningless life. We read in the Old Testament book, Lamentations, how God redeems a life: “Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. 58O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life,” Lamentations 3:57-58 (KJV). When someone calls out to God in prayer, God draws near to them and extends His mercy and grace to the needs of their lost soul, offering salvation and redeeming from a life of bondage and sin. No one living in sin can ever experience peace in their soul. Jesus wants to redeem us from the futility of life and transform us and instilling His love, joy, and peace into our lives, Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” John 10:10 (KJV). Satan is like a thief who comes to steal, kill, and to destroy. That is why there is so much evil, killing and destruction across the world.
Would you like to know the abundant life that Jesus offers and the peace that passes all understanding and a new found purpose in your life? We can’t find it outside of God no matter where we look, nor can we earn it by our good deeds. Salvation is by God’s grace when we place our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Not only did Peter say what redemption was not, in 1 Peter 1:19 he gives the means of redemption: “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
Redemption is simple: First, all you need to do is realize that you are a sinner, and that Christ died to pay for your sins (“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23; “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8 KJV). Second, you need to ask God for His forgiveness (“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Romans 10:13 KJV). Third, turn from your sins; this is called repentance (“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed,” Romans 10:10-11 KJV).
It is our faith in God and our repentance of our sins that brings God’s salvation. However, God asks us to confess with our mouth the attitude of our heart. Below is an example of how to do that. Read carefully the prayer and then accept it as your desire and pray it as if it is your own words:
“Dear God, confess I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness for my sins. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son who died on the cross to pay for my sins and that you raised him to life. Today I trust in Him as my Savior and want to follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. I pray for you to Guide my life that I might do your will. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.” For expanded information on how to have a relationship with God and what to do afterward: CLICK HERE.
Tags: Redemption, meaningless life, prayer, God, Abundant Life, Eternal Life