Bottom Line Up Front: Ransomed from Futility

Text: 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. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 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, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Pt 1:13-19)

Teaching: Peter gives multiple imperatives in his sentences above. First, he tells Christians to be prepared for action. That is, be spiritually equipped with the armor of God. We are not to battle in worldly ways. That is, we’re to be above that level of craftiness and guile. We’re to look reality in the face, recognize it for what it is (be that beautiful or wicked or some admixture) and simultaneously set our hope “fully on the grace that will be brought to [us] at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 1:13).

Second, he tells Christians what not to do. We are not to be conformed to the passions of [our] former ignorance” (1 Pt 1:14). That is, we are not to be partakers in deeds of darkness. Our lives should not fear investigation. We should be transparent and open. Why? Because it’s hard to argue against a Godly life. People see us. But what’s infinitely more important, God sees us (and all things). Therefore, we should live lives that glorify the Lord rather than ourselves. We’re to be a people characterized by giving and self-denial by living the crucified life.

Third, Peter tells us that we, if we are Christians, have been “ransomed” from lives and patterns of futility. We are now to keep the main thing the main thing. Jesus was innocent; yet, it was God’s plan for Him to be murdered anyway, so that God would be shown to be just and the justifier of all who look to Him in repentance and faith. God uses evil for His purposes of good. The religious establishment loathed Jesus because He called out their hypocrisy and partiality and lies. And the religious establishment murdered Him for it, after first humiliating Him publicly. And yet . . . Jesus endured it all.

Encouragement: God is bigger than our sufferings, dear ones. He knows them. God sees all. We should fear the Lord, trusting Him to work even and especially the evils of men for our ultimate good and His glory. If we are Christians, we have been ransomed/purchased/redeemed. Therefore, let us trust Him, even and especially during the trials.