The apostle Peter wrote to believers: "Live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ..." (1 Peter 1:17-18)
God gave Jesus as a ransom so that we would be freed from our sinful ways to live the new life we have in Christ. Note especially what the ransom was: the precious blood of Christ. It was most costly in terms of what God gave. This precious gift ought to empower us to nothing less than living the new life we have.
One outcome of this new life is as Peter says, "Love one another deeply from the heart." (1 Peter 1:22). In a world that is filled with hatred or even neglect of those in need, we have the directive to be those who are richly filled with love.
In preparation for Sunday's worship, I ask you to reflect on these passages of Scripture and examine how much you are living the new life in Christ. May God's blessing be upon your meditation of this part of Scripture and on your worship this Sunday.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How would you describe this "reverent fear?"
What futile ways of the world haven't you given up yet?
Do you feel that the life of Christ is transforming your life today?