Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “STRANGERS in the World”
Week 4 of 7: “Use the Right Currency!”
Full Sunday message, CLICK HERE
1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Everyone is looking for life that has meaning and purpose. People want to know that they matter…that their life matters.
So where does the world teach us to look for meaning and purpose?
On Sunday, I offered three areas:
- My Skills – If I have a talent in some area that others recognize and I use it to find success, this can bring a level of meaning and purpose.
- My Stuff – Often our self-worth can be determined by our net-worth. My income level can determine my significance level.
- My Status – Do I hold a position of power and prestige? Do people look up to me? Reaching a certain status can be the trigger that gives life meaning and purpose.
But what happens when you can’t do something as well as you used to? What happens if a turn in the economy or your job changes your income level? What if for some reason you are demoted and your status lessened?
We realize building meaning and purpose on these three areas is futile. That’s what Peter says. You can’t buy significance, meaning and purpose. Skills, Stuff and Status can’t redeem you from a futile/empty way of life. Only one thing can…
“the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
The fact that Jesus was willing to give up his position in heaven, come to this earth and give his blood for you communicates you have utmost value and significance in his book. His blood is the one that gives you the most important status you could ever carry: “Child of God!”
So how does Jesus blood give life meaning and purpose?
- I recognize the skills I have, even if they change, are given to first and foremost glorify God. My success isn’t based on how great I am, it’s on how focused I am at glorifying God!
- I recognize the stuff I have is really God’s Stuff. He has entrusted it to me and says, “Manage it for my glory.” Stuff doesn’t give me significance; Jesus gives significance to my stuff.
- I recognize that whatever status I have in this life, pales in comparison to having the status as a child of God. Then as a child of God, I ask, “How can I use my status, position to serve the Lord and love the people he has called me to serve?”
What’s great about this focus, is that when skill, stuff and status change, my life’s meaning and significance never change because it’s grounded in the blood of Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for redeeming me from an empty way of thinking and living and covering me in the perfect blood of Jesus. As your child, now let me use my skills, stuff and status to glorify you! AMEN!