“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1Pe 1:17-21 KJV)
Consider Peter’s thesis carefully. As disciples of Christ, we normally pray or call upon our heavenly Father. In doing so, we show that we believe he will answer us and positively supply our requests. Yet, according to the great Apostle, there is also another aspect of evidence that accompanies our praying: living in reverent fear of the One to whom we pray.
All believers — most anyway — consider themselves as pilgrims and strangers in this world. It requires a new perspective — some transformed, renewed thinking — to perceive your life in this manner. Yet, this world is not our eternal home. We are truly passing through this world, preparing for the one to come.
And Peter writes that our lives should show evidence of our belief in the Heavenly Father.
Disciples of Christ do not carry around a daily burden of future judgment. Instead, we are confident that our eternal redemption is not purchased with silver and gold which deteriorates and loses value. No! Our confidence is based on the precious, indestructible, eternally stable blood of the perfect lamb of God. And having such confidence, we live this pilgrimage with the certain knowledge that the lamb, who takes away the sin of the world, will one day be the Judge who “judges without respect of persons according to every person’s work.” Our holy lifestyle, our obedience to God’s Word, and our good works will stand in his court as evidence of our faith in and relationship with the Lamb.
No, it isn’t our good works, obedience or lifestyle that saves us. We are saved ONLY by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:5 & 8). Yet, faith with works is dead being alone (James 2:20 & 26), because faith is formed by both belief and action. “Now faith is the substance of our hope; the evidence of our activity, not of our seeing” (Hebrews 11:1). So, our holy lifestyle, our obedience, and our good works show that we truly have hope in God who raised Christ from the dead.
Dear Father, thank you for the most precious blood of Christ that takes away our sin. Empower us to faithfully live in reverent fear of your judgment. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in your faith and reverence of God,