June 7 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

Peter's first epistle is addressed to "strangers in the world," who have their homeland in heaven. They are not surprised that they suffer when they do what is right. They follow the footprints of Jesus.

Bible Reading:

1 Peter 1:17–21

Bible Text:

You were ransomed ... not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18–19).

Devotional:

The writer gives three reasons why we should live holy lives. First, we belong to a holy God. Second, while we call on God as Father, we may not forget God is an impartial Judge. Finally, we must live holy lives because we have been bought with the costly blood of Jesus.

We were bought, ransomed, or redeemed like slaves owned by a bad master. It took the death of Jesus to make our empty, meaningless lives fruitful. Peter does not explain how the death of Jesus caused that change. But he emphasizes that the cost of the death of the Holy One far exceeds that of the most costly things we know: " ... not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ."

We naturally guard our most precious possessions. We take measures to prevent loss, theft, or damage. Well, then, guard yourselves! You have been purchased by the precious blood.

Salvation is free. It has to be free because no one can pay the price. But it is not cheap.

If we keep in mind how much it cost God to redeem us, we will stay away from whatever is unworthy and unholy. Since our ransom was so high, we hate what is cheap and demeaning. We avoid what is dirty because Jesus, the Lamb of God, was spotless. We cling to our Father, whose love for us cost him so much.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.