As we look at this last section of , we will see how we are taken out of the slavery of sin. Peter is not only saying that Jesus just removes the demands of that slavery, but that he is the ransom paying for our freedom.
We either we know God as Father because we accept Jesus, or we know God as the judge of the world. But we cannot live in the forgiveness and then live as if we are not judged. It would be like a child who lives in their parents home, but wants to live like the children of the house down the street. But we must live as foreigners in fear. We are to live in our connection to the Father. We know who we are, and we are foreigners, or living in exile, because it is not this world that defines or controls our lives.
We belong to God because the price was paid for our freedom. But not paid in the currency or precious metals of this world, but by the blood of Jesus Christ. We can become slaves to any number of worldly things, but instead we are set free to become obedient to the Father who provides freedom. The truth is that we are all slaves to something. We are either slaves to the Father, or we are slaves to our own desire and the things of this world.
Even if we are aware of our slavery, there is nothing that we can give that would set us free. But Jesus gives his own blood as our redemption of worldly slavery. In we are told that Jesus purifies us and his people.
Our salvation was not “plan B” when God’s original plan failed. He knew from the beginning that we would need salvation. And that salvation is accepted through the faith in the good news delivered by Jesus Christ. This is why there will be many people who will say the believe in God, but not in the need for Jesus. The enemy is very clever to keep people’s eyes diverted from the need of a savior. But we know that the faith and hope in God is only made available through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
So as we are secured in our relationship with God, let that love pour out to those around us. To God’s love is to go from us to the brothers around us. And that it is only through Jesus that we are born again. That we become imperishable when we were perishable without him. And that it is God’s word and love endures forever. It does not change, fade, or become irrelevant.
As we go into the week, let us dwell on the revelation of God’s salvation through the ransom of Jesus on the cross, and the promise of eternity through Jesus’ resurrection.
1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (ESV)
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, (ESV)
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (ESV)
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (ESV)
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (ESV)
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (ESV)