No compromise
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.
So, I can have an empty life (v18) where I’m ignorant (v14) but I fit right in … or I can have a rich new life as one of God’s children (v14) but I’m a misfit. … Well, actually more of a foreigner, an exile, (like Israel under Pharaoh in Egypt or Judah in exile in Babylon), a misfit, a refugee in a world that’s hostile to God. (This was a day-to-day reality for the people Peter was writing to. Not just hostility from neighbours, but real persecution from the government too.)
I like the idea of being God’s child, but not so much the misfit part. That bit isn’t sounding that good. Even in a comfortable place like Australia, sometimes being like Jesus makes me out of step with people around me, and that’s uncomfortable. How about if I blend in a bit? Maybe just be quiet when that thing comes up. Just compromise a little bit so I fit in.
Hang on, Peter says. Becoming God’s child wasn’t that cheap. God had to pay a huge ransom for me. More than gold and silver! Jesus took a lot more than being uncomfortable, more than being an outsider. He was totally rejected, despised, cruelly abused, brutally and unjustly killed to buy my freedom to be God’s child. Jesus didn’t compromise. Neither should I.
Father, thank you that see past my deceptions, and yet you chose me as your child regardless. I want to be 100% your child. No cheating. No compromising my relationship with you to fit in where you’re not welcome. Jesus, thank you for the enormous ransom you paid for me. I love you so much!
Written by David Cornell