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And if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:17-25)
What is it that Peter is saying to us when he says, “Conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile”—that is, throughout our lives on earth, before we go to be with God? Does he want us to be afraid of God, terrified of putting a foot wrong, wondering if we’ll ever be good enough?
No. This is a completely different kind of fear he’s talking about. Its other name is “awe.” It reminds me of the first time my husband, a brand-new pastor, celebrated Holy Communion for the church. I don’t know which of us was trembling more—not because we were afraid he would somehow mess up, but simply because it’s such an awesome thing for God to entrust that gift into human hands—for Jesus to give His own body and blood, to be shared with all His people. That kind of fear is appropriate, because it means you’re taking your situation seriously. I would worry about anyone who did not tremble the first time they handled holy things!
And all of us who belong to Jesus are in the same position—for we are people who “were ransomed … not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory.”
Because we belong to Jesus, we ourselves have been made holy by His sacrifice for us. And we live among holy people, our brothers and sisters. Surely we should shake and tremble once in a while, when we think of the great love God has given to us! And be all the more joyful and thankful, because we belong to Jesus, and He to us.
WE PRAY: Dear Savior, thank You for making me Yours. Live through me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- When have you had an experience of awe before God?
- How is awe different than other kinds of fear?
- What effect does Jesus’ love for you have on your relationships with other believers?
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