Foreigners Here!

1 Peter 1:17-21

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 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 ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Peter continues today on the theme of how you live in response to God calling you into His kingdom. As they have now been purchased or redeemed, they have been set free not by gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Jesus. You can't put a price on that. As we are bought back by God, we have been set free from sin, death and the power of the devil. Peter calls them foreigners here on earth. Paul, in Philippians, says, "Our citizenship is in heaven." Philippians 3:20

So how can this motivate us in our new life in Christ?

1. As we take time to realize the price Jesus paid for us, we see how valuable we are. So valuable in fact that God wants to spend forever with us. It is God's love in Jesus that calls us to live a life for Him.

2. Jesus was chosen before the Creation of the world. Before you were even born, God had a plan to restore His relationship to you by His grace. Though sin came in the world by Adam, it gave God a chance to show us that He is gracious and merciful God. The bottom line, you were chosen before the Creation of the world to inherit God's kingdom.

3. Though we have trials in this life, they are preparing us for our ultimate destination, heaven. Though there is joy in this life that God has given us, it won't be comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us when Jesus returns.

As you go through life, and even in the midst of trials, realize you are the Lord's. You have been redeemed and set apart for God's purpose that all the world would know His love through His Son. While we are still here, let us make the most of every opportunity to share that love until we reach our final destination.

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