How God Redeems People
We speak about a “living hope” & we say with assurance, we have a “sure salvation.” Sometimes during our lives, as we live-out our days, as we walk through our valleys, and as we climb the mountains that come into our life-path, these same mountains appear as barriers, as if we must climb up and over to reach what we eagerly call “normalcy.” In reading the Bible, we are reminded of many others who have experienced similar struggles. People of the Old Testament, those like: Abram, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Ruth, Job, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah (on & on). Then there are those of the New Testament, those like: the apostle Paul & the twelve disciples, and preacher Timothy (on & on). So many people before us have walked through life, climbed mountains, walked through valleys, revealing to us how we can too—with God’s help!
In the Bible, we read these words—
“As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,
(1 Peter 1: 10-12 NASB)
seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.”
Did we catch what the apostle Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to write? Did we see how the Holy Spirit was sent to prepare the hearts of those who were given the task of predicting the coming of Jesus and the glory of heaven? Do we also see how God sent His Holy Spirit from heaven to announce His gospel message to us? Furthermore, do we see how the Lord Jesus Christ obeyed the will of the Father, even to the point of death upon the Cross so that each one of us would not need to taste death? !!!
- Let us stay right there, encased in that thought.
- Let us praise Jesus for what He has already done.
- Let us thank Almighty God for how He Redeems People (you & me & all who will repent).
- Let us bow down upon our knees this day, thanking God for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within us—sustaining us, comforting us, leading us, and sealing us with the Holy presence of God—until the day arrives when we will go home to heaven to be forevermore with God.
The Scripture continues with these words—
“Therefore,
- prepare your minds for action,
- keep sober in spirit,
- fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children,
- do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance,
[the way we once were—walking in darkness & away from the light of Christ]
- but like the Holy One who called you,
- be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work,
- conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
- knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
but with precious blood,
as of a lamb unblemished and spotless,
the blood of Christ.”
(1 Peter 1: 13-19 NASB)
Let us never forget—How God Redeems People!
Let us never forget—How God Redeemed Us!
Let us never forget—How God Still Redeems through “the blood of Christ”!
- Let us never give up praying for others.
- Let us never give up sharing our testimony.
- Let us never give up living out our witness.
Let us never give up looking, waiting & watching in expectancy for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ!
YES, LET US NEVER FORGET—EXACTLY HOW GOD REDEEMED US!
May we walk in faithfulness.
Thus, in closing these thoughts today, the Holy Word of God spoke these words to my heart—
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;
and God is faithful, [!!!]
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,
so that you will be able to endure it.
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
(1 Corinthians 10: 12-14 NASB)