The Basic Good News

Scripture – 1 Peter 1:17-21: Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 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 down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Observation – These verses are filled with self-evident truth. God “judges each person’s work impartially.” He plays favorites with no one. That’s part of His perfection. We have been redeemed “from the empty way of life” handed down to us through the world – life that does nothing more than fill the time between birth and death. We have fullness of life in Christ. For the price of our redemption was “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” His death on the cross was undeserved and freely embraced as a gift to us. Through Christ we “believe in God” – we have faith and hope that transcends life in this world. These verses really capture the basic gospel – the good news for us all.

Application – I will live today undaunted by the demon of discouragement that tries to convince me life is meaningless. I will live in faith and hope – hope fueled by the one God raised from the dead.

Prayer – “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me thy great salvation – so rich and free.” May the words of this song lead me into worship this morning, Lord. May the reality of your gift life me above all else this day.