…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 Peter 1:17b-19
Although the portion of verse 17 was not included on the biblegateway.com calendar, I could not help but add it. Why? Peter mentions their “exile” as a church, referring to the hardships and separation they must have been feeling as the church in Northern Asia Minor. These hardships, likely early persecutions, undoubtedly had them anxious and frustrated. Sound familiar?
We are in an exile in our own homes, only getting out for necessities. There are no in-person church services, Bible studies, Sunday school, etc. And if you are like me, we find ourselves truly missing community in a way most of us have never experienced before. We have separation anxiety.
Peter’s words speak to us. He reminds us that we have been ransomed and rescued from the futile and broken ways of sin and the world. Our bond has been posted, and it is not from worldly wealth of silver and gold but the precious blood of Jesus, the lamb without defect. The perfect sacrifice, the complete ransom!
Because of this, return to the first sentence of today’s scripture and see a command. How are we to conduct ourselves? Understand that “fear” here means reverence and awe, not scared and terrorized. So, we are to live out this present exile, our COVID-19 diaspora, as people of the blood of Jesus. We are rescued, and no “shelter in place” or virus can take that away from us!
We are rescued, and no “shelter in place” or virus can take that away from us!
So find something to do today that glorifies the One who rescued you. Reach out to someone and tell of the reason for your hope while in this exile! And the hope that is yours in life every day until you meet face to face with that hope.
In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…
1 Peter 3:15
Have a great day my friends!
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