“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious Blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” I Peter 1:18-19 NLTRedemption: God bought mankind’s freedom and deliverance from sin and death, through the offering of the life of His Son, Jesus Christ – He died so we can live. For born again believers, those who have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the atonement for their sins – those who have been redeemed; life is now an opportunity to live in full commitment to the One who died for us all.
Recently, I took some time to examine my life, and to consider whether or not I have been taking full advantage of the opportunity to live in honor of the One who shed His Blood for me to live. Remember, Jesus is God’s ONLY Son! God gave ALL that He had, because of His love for me, AND YOU, AND everybody else in the world!
I considered “Does my life reflect an appreciation for the Love of God and the Blood of Jesus?” I Peter 1:13-16 shows that it is God’s will for His people to grow in holiness and right living. I asked myself “Have I been compromising on the true value of the Blood, by making any decisions and actions that are not in agreement with God’s will for my life?”
Hebrews 10:29 came into my heart, it says –
“Anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse will be the punishment for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the Blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us?”
That scripture gave a real idea of just how disrespectful sin is to God. Think about it.. trampling on the Son of God, counting as nothing the Blood which makes us holy, and insulting the Holy Spirit and God’s mercy. I had to repent, because it broke my heart to think that every decision I’ve made contrary to God’s will for my life appeared to Him as any one of the same disrespectful actions.
God is so good, He shouldn’t ever be treated in such a way. He is merciful, and he bears with us in our weaknesses; Romans 2:4 says it is His goodness that brings men to repentance. He gives grace for us to live towards maturity in Christ. He wills for us to be growing in awareness of the value that He sees on our lives, in righteousness, by the acknowledging of the Blood.
Don’t get stuck entertaining things in life that reflect dishonorably towards God. You belong to Him – The Blood of Jesus Christ is now the standard and worth of your life. The definition of ‘precious’ from I Peter 1:19 is – of great price; costly; of great value or worth; much esteemed. The Blood of Jesus is precious, and so too, is your life to God. Remember, whatever it costs you, Jesus is worth it! And you’re worth it to make the decisions that line up with God’s will for you.
“You are a chosen people. You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” I Peter 2:9 NLT
Your life’s a gift that’s been paid for –
Merry Christmas!
READY® TM 