Series: Saved, Settled, and Sanctified
The Wonder of it All
1 Peter 1: 18-23
We have considered much in the past few weeks. We have discussed the gracious salvation we are afforded in Christ and the hope we have in Him, even in the midst of difficult and trying circumstances. We also considered the life we are expected to live before others, even when it seems no one cares or is interested in the ways of God. Maintaining our faith and the ability to persevere through adversity is difficult, even for mature believers. Peter understood that, having fallen victim to doubt and despair himself. He sought to equip and encourage the church to press on faithfully for the Lord regardless of circumstances.
This will be much easier if we keep our focus on the Lord, continually reminded of what we have in Him. Having admonished the church to carry out a difficult task, Peter again offers comfort and reassurance. Once again he takes the believer back to their conversion. As I have shared lately: if we are to endure, we must abide in Christ and His Word. These verses deal with the wonder of salvation and the great provision we have in Christ. As we conclude this series, I want to discuss the aspects of our salvation as we consider: The Wonder of it All.
I. The Purchase of our Salvation (18-19) – Here Peter discusses the purchase of salvation for humanity. In this purchase we discover:
A. The Payment (18a) – Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…He reminded the church, even in the midst of difficulty, to remain aware of the payment made to purchase their salvation. He speaks of the redemption of humanity in this verse. Due to the fall of Adam in sin, all are born in sin, and stand in need of salvation. In order for reconciliation to be made, payment had to be made in order to resolve the debt of sin. Christ paid the debt we owed. We had no means of securing payment for our sin.
The word redeemed speaks of “a ransom paid to set someone free.” That is exactly what Christ did for us. We were enslaved by sin, owing a debt we could never pay, and Christ paid our ransom. He redeemed us from sin by making the payment that would satisfy the debt we owed.
B. The Pardon (18b) – 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. Slave markets were common in that day. Many of the believers were familiar with slavery and the price required to free one from bondage. Silver and gold were often used as a means to set men free from bondage.
We need to consider the emphasis here also. Those who were redeemed with silver and gold were redeemed from physical bondage. Our redemption in Christ is much different. The payment was not with silver or gold and the redemption exceeds this life. We are set free from the bondage of sin in this life, and in the life to come. Our redemption from sin, in Christ, doesn’t end at death. When we receive Christ by faith in salvation, we are eternally pardoned from sin. He fully satisfied the debt of sin, and those who are in Christ, have their debt paid in full. It will never be remembered again, and we can never be enslaved to the bondage of sin and death again!
C. The Price (19) – But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. The price paid for redemption from sin was very costly. It was not secured with silver, gold, or other monetary means. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God the Father, shed His precious blood on the cross for our sin. His sacrifice was perfect, without having committed any sin. Only a perfect sacrifice would satisfy, and only God Himself was worthy! Sin’s debt was paid by Christ the Lord as He bled and died to atone for sin. Hebrews 10:4-5; 14 – For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. [5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
II. The Plan for our Salvation (20-21) – Here we see the sovereign plan for salvation. Notice:
A. The Ordination (20a) – Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world…Peter speaks of Christ and the great sacrifice He made. This was not some haphazard event that just happened. Popular opinion had turned against Jesus, and the majority consented to His death, but that was not the reason He died. Jesus died on the cross, providing redemption for sin, according to the foreordained plan of God before this world was ever created. Before Adam ever breathed life and fell in sin, God had a plan for the redemption of mankind. The Godhead knew before they ever created this world and all that inhabit it that Jesus would come to die for our sin!
B. The Incarnation (20b) – Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Not long before Peter penned these words, this plan was carried out. Christ came in the form of a man. He was manifest for the world to see. The Son of God laid aside the glories of heaven, veiled His deity in a robe of flesh, was born of a virgin womb, lived a sinless life, and died a sacrificial death for our redemption to fulfill the plan of God. We are reminded that Christ came for us! He bore our sin and purchased our redemption!
C. The Reception (21a) – Who by him do believe in God. Peter emphasizes that Christ is the way and means of salvation. There is no other way of acceptance by God and redemption of sin. Christ is not a good way of salvation; He isn’t even the best way of salvation. Christ Jesus is the only way of salvation. Peter affirms the exclusiveness of salvation in Christ alone. If one is to be received by God, he must receive Christ as Savior. There are no exceptions. Salvation is available in Christ alone!
D. The Expectation (21b) – 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. We are reminded that death on the cross was not the end for Jesus. He gave His life a ransom for sin, but He didn’t stay dead. He was raised on the third day and glorified by God. He ascended back to the Father where He is seated making intercession for us. Our hope is not in one who lived a good life and died, but in one who purchased our redemption in death and rose triumphantly over sin and death! We serve the risen, living Christ!
Peter also speaks of our faith and hope being in God. This refers to the assurance of resurrection life in Christ. The mortality rate for mankind in 100%. If the Lord doesn’t return soon, we will all eventually go by way of death. However, for those who are in Christ, death is not eternal. Because He lives, we too shall enjoy eternal life in Him. This body of flesh may be laid to rest in the dust of the earth, but at Christ’s return, it will be resurrected. All who are in Christ have this promise! What blessed hope and expectation we have in the Lord. 1 Thes.4:16-17 – For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
III. The Proofs in our Salvation (22-23) – Finally Peter discusses the proofs of a transformed life in Christ. Consider:
A. The Evidence (22a) – Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren. Clearly this is not the only evidence or defining factor of a believer, but it will be evident in the life of one who has been transformed and is living in light of Christ and His righteousness. We are compelled to seek righteousness and display love for those of like faith. It will be evident for the world to see there has been a change in our lives.
Using these as a guide, I fear many may have made a profession, and yet lack a genuine possession. One cannot live as they please, seeking to satisfy the flesh, while appearing as the world and enjoy fellowship with Christ. We cannot love the Lord if we lack love for those around us. Our churches are filled with those who live like the world and show no love, compassion, or sympathy for others. We all have seasons of weakness and failures, but these traits will be evident in those who are in Christ!
B. The Expression (22b) – Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. Again Peter emphasized the importance of love for others and a pure heart. We must live in such a way that others recognize these attributes in our lives. I would never advocate not sharing your faith, but if your life is where it should be in Christ, you won’t have to tell the world you are a believer. They will recognize your commitment to the Lord by the life you live among them.
As the world grows darker, the need for Christian faith revealed in society increases. The world is seeking something that is genuine and sincere. If we expect to reach the world for Christ, we must live our faith consistently before the world.
C. The Excellence (23) – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Finally we are reminded of the excellence through which our redemption was purchased. Christ gave His very best on the cross to redeem us. We must be willing to give our best in this life as we serve Him! Christ secured eternal life for us; surely we can give Him our best in the life we have here on earth.
Conclusion: This has been an encouraging passage. There can be no doubt that we face a difficult journey ahead, but we can overcome in Christ. Now is not the time to retreat from the struggles we face or abandon the faith. We have received much in Christ and we must remain committed to Him and the work we have been given.
These verses have dealt with the truths of the Gospel. They have revealed the redemption of humanity through the sacrifice of Christ. He made the way for our salvation. Have you received the salvation that only Christ gives? Are you resting in His grace? Christian are you living the life He desires you to live? If there are needs, why not come today and bring them to the Lord?
