“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 ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
The “empty way of life” is a translation of a word that means “perishable.” Redemption from “the empty way of life” means that we are liberated from bondage to things that won’t last. So much of our lives are spent chasing the temporary things around us. When Jesus saves us He lifts us to lives that focus on eternal values that reflect His nature. No longer are we earth-bound but we are heaven-bound.
What is the price paid for this amazing new freedom? It is the blood of Christ. We cannot overemphasize the importance of the blood of Christ. It not only opens the door to a new set of values but it liberates us from our old bondage to things that kept us helplessly imprisoned to the behavior that once controlled us.
When I was young we sang a song that said, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” I still love Andre Crouch’s song, “The blood will never lose its power.” When we see a resurgence of old habits that we no longer want to dominate us, cling to the power of the blood of Christ. It was powerful enough to cleanse our sins when we first believed and it is still the power that brings us victory.
