A Vain and Empty Life

Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

1 Peter 1:14 — Why is Salvation necessary for the non-Christian man? What is the purpose of life for the non-Christian? In this Sermon on 1 Peter 1:4 titled “A Vain and Empty Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and addresses the fact that the non Christian life is hopeless, vain, and has no purpose until they are born again and delivered out of darkness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones firstly explains the origin of the non Christian life and says that these men and women simply do what they think needs to be done because of tradition; they are following what other people have done in the past. Although they might think that they are living their own life, they are getting their ideas from someone in the past or around them who has done the same. Secondly, he explains that the life without God is a life of lust always controlled by the passions and desires of the flesh and mind. Everything the non-Christian does in this life is controlled by their mind and flesh, including anger and ambition. Lastly Dr. Lloyd-Jones preaches that although the non Christian life seems attractive and wonderful at first, it is empty inside and there is no meaning to it. In the ungodly life, there is no hope and it is merely hopeless. He concludes by saying that salvation is necessary to deliver you from this empty life, and so that God can give you light, joy, and hope in this world. It is necessary for the Christian to realize that he is just a journeymen in this world and one day will be in glory with the Father.