Releasing the Worthless and Embracing the Worthy: Finding True Life in Christ

Summary

Living for worthless pursuits is no substitute for embracing God’s true purpose. Drawing on Scripture and Paul’s example, this article shows that real life is found not in self-absorption or worldly gain but in surrender to Christ. Repentance means turning from darkness to the worthy Creator. Jesus died to free us from worthless living so we might live fully for Him.

More than 720,000 people in the world take their lives each year, with many more failed attempts. Suicide is the leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.1 

When Hope Seems Extinguished

Their hope bulb has burned out, and they don’t know how to replace it. They value their lives so little that they end them prematurely. They release the worthless without embracing the worthy.

Paul’s Radical View of Worth

Ironically, their evaluation of their worth is the same as the Apostle Paul’s description of himself apart from carrying out God’s plan for his life. “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24 NLT).

Paul set aside his agenda to fulfill God’s purpose (Luke 9:23). He released the worthless and embraced the worthy.

Self-Absorption Versus God’s Will

Suicidal individuals are closer to God’s will than the self-absorbed non-suicidal. The latter try to squeeze every possible drop of pleasure from life for themselves. The worthless imprison them.

The Danger of Losing Our Saltiness

That is a threat to those who profess to follow Jesus. “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless” (Matthew 5:13 NLT).

The Cost of Chasing the World

Even gaining the entire world is a worthless waste of a life. “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NLT). The expected answer is no.

Finding True Life in Christ

Repentance means renouncing the worthless deeds of evil and darkness to embrace the living God (Acts 14:15, Ephesians 5:11). It is turning from worshipping the creation to the Creator (Romans 1:25), who is worthy of eternal praise (Romans 9:5).

Jesus thinks we are worth dying for. He demonstrated that by dying for everyone. But not so that we could continue to live worthless lives. “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT).

Life’s biggest struggle is releasing the worthless and embracing the worthy. That is how we find true life in Christ. Where are you on that journey?

1.     Suicide

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