The Price of Redemption
Psalm 49:6-9, "They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption."
Everyone who is born again understands his inability to pay the necessary price for his own redemption. Redemption speaks of purchasing one’s freedom by another with the payment of a ransom. Today's passage speaks to those who have great wealth and the expectations that often come as a result of having such wealth. There are those who sometimes feel that wealth (money) can buy everything. We know the price of redemption is beyond the ability of riches. "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." (vs. 7).
Jesus Christ is the only one who can pay the price of our redemption. 1 Peter 1:18-19, "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; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." The object today is to show how powerless and valueless wealth is regarding the things that are most important to a man's wellbeing. Wealth can do literally "nothing" in that which most deeply affects man, and in which he most needs help. What we need most is to have a right relationship with God, rather than one flawed by guilt and sin.
Have you been redeemed by the blood of Jesus? Or are you attempting to earn your redemption by some ineffective man-centered method? Paul spoke clearly in Romans 3:23-26, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
I trust you can sing with conviction, the famous song written by Elvina M. Hall in 1865 titled "Jesus Paid it All." The second stanza reads: For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I'll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb. The chorus: Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Have a great day rejoicing in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Why do we place such a high value on things which cannot advance our spiritual condition?
2. What is the only thing that can bring redemption to the human soul?
3. What can you do to show your gratitude for what Jesus did on the cross?