I’m currently in a series of posts about 1 Peter. He has shown us not only that God wants us to walk in holiness, but how to accomplish this. Now he goes on to show why this is way we’re to live.
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.
1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV
The incredible truth is that we have been redeemed. That’s a big word. We need to understand all that his encompasses.
Normally, when you see the word redeemed in Scripture it means to buy back or purchase something. That’s not the case here. The word that Peter uses means to loosen or set free.
What has the Lord loosened us from? It was from the empty behavior that we inherited. It’s all the emotional and lifestyle baggage we grew up with. It’s the ongoing behavior we acted out with nothing to show for it in the end.
But, according to the apostle, the valuable blood of Jesus Christ rescued us from all of that. We no longer have to live a life that amounts to nothing in the end.
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.
1 Peter 1:20-21 NIV
We need to see that nothing takes God by surprise. God knew what was to happen even before the world was created. He didn’t have to call an emergency meeting with the Holy Spirit.
“Oh No! What are we going to do? They just killed the Messiah.”
Absolutely not! God had the plan for our redemption already in place before the world was formed.
This verse goes on to say that now, in these last days, this plan is made manifest – is revealed – in us. It’s our job to reveal Christ to the world. We are God’s voice, declaring His restoring power to all those around us.
Now, because of what God did in Christ, our faith and our expectation can firmly be focused on God. This is the foundation for the walk of holiness.
So that brings up some important questions we need to be asking. Is my faith focused on God’s Word and plan for my life? Do I truly expect what God says the results should be as He responds to my faith?
As we spend time in the Scripture and in relationship with the Holy Spirit, our faith and expectation toward the Lord should be growing. That’s the maturing process. It’s how I continue to grow in the body of Christ.
Only then can I lead others to experience the same walk of holiness and righteousness. I can’t simply teach it. I must exemplify it by walking it out in front of younger believers.
This is where the Lord is desiring to bring us all up to.
Question: How well are you growing and maturing in your walk with the Lord?
© 2025 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 