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"Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,"

~ Psalm 49:7

 

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul? (Matthew 16:26)  Because of Genesis 3, we are all born sinners…and sinners, both high and low (v.2), rich and poor (v.2), wise and stupid (v.10), are foolishly confident (v.13), pompous (v.12,20) and boastful (v.6,13), yet without understanding (v.20). 

No amount of worldly wealth and glory (v.6,16), power and influence (v.5,11) can pay the ransom for a sinful soul (v.7-8).  Because of Genesis 3, all will also die; and without the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ applied to the eternal ransom for a sinful soul, all will perish (v.12,20), forever consumed in death (v.14).

Psalm 49 speaks clear and difficult truth.  It strikes a humble cord in my own heart to remember my days as an unbelieving sinner and cautions my heart in my days now as a ransomed believing soul.  Praise God that through his Son Jesus Christ he has ransomed sinful souls (v.15; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6) and received them unto himself (v.15; Romans 15:7; Acts 10:34-35).  I pray that is you. 

Carefully consider (v.1) the words of wisdom (v.3) found in this psalm.