Seeds for 04/16/2024 - 1 Peter 1:18-19
Scripture:
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 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. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Observation:
So “reverent fear” is appropriate for the God who is untamed and untamable (fear) and at the same time a loving Father and a righteous judge (reverence).
The reason to live from that perspective is found in the contrasts we see in verses 18-19. Redemption is at the center. This is important to stay clear about. Sanctification is the goal of human life for Christianity, but it is a house built on the foundation of justification. In other words, you can’t mature spiritually into a new person if you’re never born again in the first place.
Here are a couple of the key contrasts.
First, the how of our redemption. The “perishable things such as silver or gold” are contrasted with “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish of defect.” What is valuable in terms of worldly wealth is regarded as yet another thing of no lasting worth. In fact, Peter’s first readers might even think of verses in the same vein from Psalms. Identifying the blood of Christ with a “lamb without blemish or defect” would remind them of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. In the end, what is more precious? Currency that can provide wealth in this world, or that which can provide relationship with God Himself?
Second, the way of life in Christ versus without Christ. Life without Christ is described as an “empty way of life.” The Christian life of discipleship has its challenges and trials, but it isn’t empty. It is animated by the resurrection power of God and fueled by hope in the living Christ. Living for self is an “empty way of life.” Living for Christ is the way of fullness. Jesus taught this in John 10:10.
So, what do you regard as precious and valuable in the world?
Application:
Where do you see people practicing “an empty way of life” when they could have the fullness of Christ?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, save me from the things I’m tempted to find more precious than Jesus, that I may life in all His fullness. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™