ESOCS Devotional 3 December
TEXT: 1 PETER 1:13-25 KJV
MEMORY VERSE: “For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:45 KJV
In order that we may run a successful Christian race, believers are compelled to bind up all unholy thought and behaviour. In other words, Christians must discipline their lives and lay aside sin (Heb. 12:1).
In the Old Testament, any lamb that was sacrificed had to be perfect (Ex. 12:5; Lev. 3:6). 1 Peter 1:19 suggests that Jesus was the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God who fulfilled all righteousness of the law (Heb. 9:14).
The reference to redemption in verse 18 of our text can only be fully understood by a glimpse of the Biblical context of human beings held captive by the power of forces they cannot defeat. Factually speaking, it is a known point that the bondage of slavery cannot be broken, and freedom regained, except by paying a ransom. Human beings are all slaves to sin, but Christ paid the ransom with His blood, His death – since no person can redeem another person.
The goal of our redemption is for us to enjoy freedom from the guilt and power of sin, and to live a life of service that reflects our new standing in Christ Jesus. To sustain this new status, Peter calls us to live holy lives as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16b).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
- What really is holiness? Do you think humans can live holy? Critically look at 1 Peter 1:18-19 and Leviticus 11:45.
PRAYER POINT
Lord Jesus, even as man you led a holy life. Grant me the grace to do likewise. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 3:1-18; 4:1-17; 1 Peter 2:1-12
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ESOCS Devotional 3 December
