A relatively famous gentleman, who has his own program on cable television, called me one day. This man hangs around with movie stars and well-known figures from the sports world. However, he found out after all these years that wine, women and wealth couldn’t give him peace, so he dialed the man of God.
He was hungry for something that would give him real peace of mind. He realized there was something that would set him free that money couldn’t buy.
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
(1 Peter 1:17-19)
There is the idea in the world that somehow silver and gold can purchase peace and redemption. Nothing could be further from the truth. Prosperity will not redeem us. It doesn’t mean we’re not supposed to have it, or that prosperity is not a blessing for Christians to enjoy.
In the same way, verse 18 says you can’t be redeemed through the aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers either. Just because your daddy or granddaddy went to Old Mount Zion Tabernacle Church and you’ve gone to every function in that church for 40 years, it is not going to redeem you. Religious traditions cannot save you, nor will they bring peace.
The Word of God clearly states how we receive salvation in 1 Peter 1:19, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Corruptible things like silver and gold or the aimless conduct of tradition will not redeem us. Redemption only comes through the precious blood of Jesus.
The word precious is not interpreted as we might commonly use it as “a precious little thing.” The “precious” blood of Jesus means that His blood was costly.
Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” When a saint dies of cancer or in a car wreck, it is very costly to the body of Christ.
The body of Christ pays a price because there is one less Christian ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. The Amplified Bible defines the word precious in Psalm 116:15 as “important and no light matter.”
The blood of Jesus was very costly. All through the New Testament, the scriptures make it clear there was a price paid for redemption. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us. It cost God the lifeblood of His only Son.
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.