Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Profession’s Proper Product
(I Peter 1:17-25)
The doctrine of Redemption in Christ is a doctrine both predicted in the Old Testament and demonstrated in blood sacrifices typical of the final, perfect sacrifice (Ex. 12:5). Our redemption, Peter argues, comes not from corruptible things, but rather comes from the precious blood of Christ (18, 19). The sacrifices of the old system—“the blood of bulls and of goats”—could never ultimately take away sins. These were merely an atonement, a covering—sufficient only until Christ put away sins by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb. 9:26, 10:4).
Salvation, then, required Christ’s precious blood—blood untainted with the sin nature. Indeed, Christ’s blood—though chemically human (with the exception of the sin principle) was ultimately the blood of God (Acts 20:28).
In addition, Peter states that believers are “born again…by the Word of God.” God’s Word is important. In fact, He has magnified His Word even above His name (Ps. 138:2). Believers, therefore, should value and guard the integrity of God’s Word; through it we are born again.
The blood of Christ and the Word of God—two of the most vital objects in God’s plan of redemption— are of inestimable value both! What should these powerful principles produce in believers? Peter answers simply: fervent love (22). Surprised? Don’t be. Love is the most basic evidence that one has been redeemed by Christ’s blood and born again by God’s Word. You see, religious profession, outward conformity, and denominational allegiance are not evidences of salvation. Christ’s blood and God’s Word produce fervent love in all genuine believers.
