SCRIPTURE
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold, that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, lamb without blemish, or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
SPOTLIGHT
Money can purchase a lot of things. Every day people spend millions of dollars through credit card purchases, or cash. Bartering is even an age-old way of making purchases. But how can blood be used to purchase something as expensive as freedom?
1 Peter is written by the Apostle Peter, to Christians, who were being persecuted for their faith. In 1 Peter, he reminded them how the blood of Jesus Christ purchased their redemption. Redemption is the privilege to become something new, honorable, and valuable. Redemption implies you were rescued from sin, and evil, and returned to beauty, and significance.
Our Scripture focus today is on 1 Peter 1:18,19. Perishable things like silver, and gold cannot save you from a self-centered nature. However, the precious blood of Jesus Christ purchased your new beginning, and gave you the privilege to live a fulfilled life. The Apostle Paul reminded the Colossian Christians, “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14
You cannot buy forgiveness for your sin, and the empty life that you live. You cannot barter for it. And you cannot borrow, or steal forgiveness from a Godly person to pay the penalty for your sin. The only way to escape your darkness, and bondage to sin is to invite Jesus Christ to redeem you through the blood He shed on Calvary. He completely paid the penalty for your sin. Christ purchased your freedom. He did it all for you. You do not have to do anything except receive your freedom by confessing Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord. Neither do you ever have to repay Him for His purchase.
Elizabeth Keckley was a slave who lived in Missouri before the Civil War. Her greatest desire was to purchase freedom for her son, and herself. Before they could be granted freedom, her slave owner demanded $1,200. Elizabeth, who worked as a seamstress, was given the full amount of money by some of her wealthy clients. With it, she paid the full price for her son, and herself to be free. Those generous clients redeemed both of them. Without that help, she would have never been able to purchase her freedom.
David had become a liar, adulterer, and murderer. He was entangled in a dark web, and living a very empty life. David was bound by the guilt of his sin. In Psalm 51: 1-7, he prayed, “Have mercy on me, oh God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge. Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely, You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost places. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” Without God’s help, David would have never been able to purchase his freedom of forgiveness.
You need to admit 3 things:
#1. I am a slave to sin.
John 8:34 states, “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’”
#2. I need to ask Jesus Christ to set free me from sin and emptiness.
1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful, and just, and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
#3. I am freed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:9 states, “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!”
1 John 1:7 states, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Revelation 1:5-6 states, “To Him who loves us, and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom, and priests to serve His God and Father – to Him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.”
SOMETHING TO DO
Read Psalm 51, not just once, but several times, and sense the joy David experienced.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Today, I humbly bow in Your presence Lord Jesus Christ, knowing full well that without Your blood that was shed on Calvary, I would be enslaved to a self-centered sinful, evil way of living. Thank You that You shed Your blood for me so that I might be set free. Your blood purchased my freedom! AMEN.