Living as Ransomed Exiles: Embracing Holiness and Hope
Summary
In 1 Peter 1:13-19, we are reminded of our spiritual exile in this world, much like Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb in C.S. Lewis's "The Silver Chair." Aslan's charge to Jill to remember the signs is akin to Peter's exhortation to believers to "gird up the loins of your mind" and set your hope fully on the grace to be revealed at Jesus Christ's return. The world, with its thick air, can easily enchant and confuse us, making us forget our true identity as exiles from our heavenly home. We are urged to live with a clear focus on the day of Christ's appearing, which will reveal our true identity as recipients of God's grace.
Holiness is not a joyless moralism but a reflection of God's beauty and character. It is about being set apart, not in prickliness, but in love and righteousness. The law given to Israel was to show the beauty of holiness, which is fundamentally about loving God and loving our neighbor. This is the essence of being in the image of a holy God. Holiness is liberty, freeing us from the enslavement of sin.
Peter also speaks of conducting ourselves with fear during our exile, a fear that is not about being afraid of God but a reverent awe fueled by the knowledge of our ransom through Christ's precious blood. This fear is the heart of true holiness, a trembling adoration of God's overwhelming goodness and grace. It is a love for God as God, a love that is intense and fitting for His infinite perfection.
The cross is where we see the clearest insight into God's heart, blazing with holy love and mercy. It is at the cross that we learn holiness, humility, and a hatred for sin. It is there that we breathe the mind-clearing air of heaven, remembering who we are as ransomed children of a holy Father.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual Exile and Identity: Just as Jill Pole was charged to remember the signs in "The Silver Chair," we are called to remember our identity as exiles in this world. The cares and pleasures of this world can enchant us, making us forget our true home. We must actively set our hope on the appearing of Jesus Christ, which will reveal our true identity as recipients of God's grace. [03:37]
- Holiness as Liberty: Holiness is not a joyless moralism but a reflection of God's beauty and character. It is about being set apart in love and righteousness, not in prickliness. True holiness is liberty, freeing us from the enslavement of sin and enabling us to live in the image of a holy God. [09:35]
- Fear of God: The fear of God is not about being afraid but a reverent awe fueled by the knowledge of our ransom through Christ's blood. It is the heart of true holiness, a trembling adoration of God's overwhelming goodness and grace. This fear is a love for God as God, intense and fitting for His infinite perfection. [20:51]
- The Cross as Insight: The cross provides the clearest insight into God's heart, blazing with holy love and mercy. It is at the cross that we learn holiness, humility, and a hatred for sin. The cross is where we breathe the mind-clearing air of heaven, remembering our identity as ransomed children of a holy Father. [40:13]
- Living as Ransomed Children: We are called to live as ransomed children, not conforming to the passions of our former ignorance. Our conduct should reflect our identity as children of God, yearning to be like Him in holiness. The cross is the best place to remember who we are and to grow in our sweet and quaking adoration of our Savior. [41:03]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - Introduction to "The Silver Chair"
[01:54] - Aslan's Charge to Jill
[02:43] - The Enchantment of Narnia
[03:37] - Spiritual Exile in 1 Peter
[04:36] - The Cares of the World
[05:44] - Living for Eternity
[06:37] - Setting Our Hope on Christ
[07:35] - Identity as Children of God
[08:42] - Misunderstanding Grace
[09:35] - Holiness as Liberty
[10:39] - The Logic of Holiness
[11:43] - Misconceptions of Holiness
[12:33] - The Beauty of Holiness
[13:36] - The Law and Holiness
[15:26] - Love as the Heart of Holiness
[16:24] - Holiness in Leviticus 19
[17:19] - Love for God and Neighbor
[18:33] - Conducting Ourselves with Fear
[19:19] - Understanding the Fear of God
[20:51] - Fear as the Heart of Holiness
[22:33] - Sinful Fear vs. Fear of the Lord
[23:29] - The Blessing of New Covenant Fear
[25:10] - Overwhelmed by God's Goodness
[26:51] - Jesus' Filial Fear
[28:38] - Delight in the Fear of the Lord
[30:30] - Love for God as God
[32:13] - Fear as Defined Love
[33:11] - The Dazzling Beauty of God
[34:17] - Breathing the Air of Heaven
[35:19] - Ransomed by Christ's Blood
[36:22] - Forgiveness and Fear
[37:19] - Trembling at God's Grace
[39:19] - Holiness and the Cross
[40:13] - Insight into God's Heart
[41:03] - Living as Ransomed Children
[42:03] - Learning at the Cross
[43:25] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 1:13-19
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Peter mean by "gird up the loins of your mind" in 1 Peter 1:13, and how does this relate to the concept of spiritual exile? [03:37]
2. How does the sermon describe the "thick air" of the world, and what effect does it have on believers according to the sermon? [04:36]
3. In what way is holiness described as liberty in the sermon, and how does this align with Peter's exhortation in 1 Peter 1:14-16? [09:35]
4. What is the significance of the cross in understanding our identity as ransomed children, as discussed in the sermon? [40:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the concept of "fear of God" in 1 Peter 1:17, and why is it considered the heart of true holiness? [20:51]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between holiness and love for God and neighbor, and how does this reflect the character of God? [15:26]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the cross in providing insight into God's heart, and why is this important for believers? [40:13]
4. According to the sermon, how does the knowledge of being ransomed by Christ's blood influence a believer's conduct during their spiritual exile? [41:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea of spiritual exile. Are there specific "thick air" distractions in your life that make you forget your true identity as a child of God? How can you actively set your hope on the appearing of Jesus Christ this week? [04:36]
2. The sermon describes holiness as liberty. In what areas of your life do you feel enslaved by sin, and how can embracing holiness bring freedom? [09:35]
3. Consider the concept of the fear of God as a trembling adoration of His goodness. How can you cultivate a deeper reverence for God in your daily life? [20:51]
4. The cross is described as the clearest insight into God's heart. How can you incorporate the message of the cross into your daily routine to remind yourself of your identity as a ransomed child? [40:13]
5. The sermon emphasizes living as ransomed children. What practical steps can you take to ensure your conduct reflects your identity as a child of God? [41:03]
6. How can you demonstrate love for God and your neighbor in a way that reflects the beauty of holiness as described in the sermon? [15:26]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of remembering who you are. What strategies can you implement to regularly remind yourself of your spiritual identity and purpose? [41:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Remembering Our Spiritual Exile
In 1 Peter 1:13-19, believers are reminded of their spiritual exile in this world, much like Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb in C.S. Lewis's "The Silver Chair." Aslan's charge to Jill to remember the signs is akin to Peter's exhortation to "gird up the loins of your mind" and set your hope fully on the grace to be revealed at Jesus Christ's return. The world, with its thick air, can easily enchant and confuse us, making us forget our true identity as exiles from our heavenly home. We are urged to live with a clear focus on the day of Christ's appearing, which will reveal our true identity as recipients of God's grace. [03:37]
1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: What are some ways you can remind yourself daily of your identity as a spiritual exile in this world, and how can this perspective influence your actions and decisions today?
Day 2: Holiness as a Reflection of God's Beauty
Holiness is not a joyless moralism but a reflection of God's beauty and character. It is about being set apart, not in prickliness, but in love and righteousness. The law given to Israel was to show the beauty of holiness, which is fundamentally about loving God and loving our neighbor. This is the essence of being in the image of a holy God. Holiness is liberty, freeing us from the enslavement of sin. [09:35]
Leviticus 20:26 (ESV): "You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect God's beauty and character in your interactions with others today, demonstrating holiness as a form of love and righteousness?
Day 3: Reverent Awe and the Fear of God
Peter speaks of conducting ourselves with fear during our exile, a fear that is not about being afraid of God but a reverent awe fueled by the knowledge of our ransom through Christ's precious blood. This fear is the heart of true holiness, a trembling adoration of God's overwhelming goodness and grace. It is a love for God as God, a love that is intense and fitting for His infinite perfection. [20:51]
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverent awe for God in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to grow in this holy fear today?
Day 4: The Cross as the Clearest Insight into God's Heart
The cross is where we see the clearest insight into God's heart, blazing with holy love and mercy. It is at the cross that we learn holiness, humility, and a hatred for sin. It is there that we breathe the mind-clearing air of heaven, remembering who we are as ransomed children of a holy Father. [40:13]
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Reflection: Spend time today reflecting on the significance of the cross in your life. How does it shape your understanding of God's love and mercy, and how can you live out this understanding in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Living as Ransomed Children
We are called to live as ransomed children, not conforming to the passions of our former ignorance. Our conduct should reflect our identity as children of God, yearning to be like Him in holiness. The cross is the best place to remember who we are and to grow in our sweet and quaking adoration of our Savior. [41:03]
1 John 3:1-2 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can more fully embrace your identity as a ransomed child of God, and how can you actively reflect this identity in your actions and decisions today?
Quotes
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Literally, "Gird up the loins of your mind." Remember, remember, remember who you are. We are exiles from our heavenly home in this world." [00:04:03]
"And yet, the cares and pleasures of this world enchant us. The air here makes us forget who we truly are. And so, we end up going native. And this, friends, is the great cause of our spiritual struggles; our weakness, our shallowness as Christians. And so, Peter urges, 'Gird up the loins of your mind.'" [00:04:50]
"Actively set your eyes, set your hope on the appearing of Jesus Christ. In that day, all dreams will evaporate. And it will be inescapably clear who we are. On that day, it will be clear we are not successful or unsuccessful, popular or unpopular; we are recipients of the grace of God by which we've been made children of the Almighty." [00:07:05]
"Holiness is liberty. And so, Peter writes, verse 14, 'As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."'" [00:09:49]
"True holiness is not a spiky, small-hearted sanctimonious-ness. Oh no, quite the opposite. Holiness is the beauty and splendor of the character of the One who is unspotted in His loveliness, gracious, merciful, righteous, just, pure, beautiful. And it was so that the ransomed people of Israel might know and understand the true meaning of holiness that God gave them the law." [00:14:15]
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself. That is holiness. That's being in the image of the holy God. And if that's what it is to be in the image of this God, it shows us something profoundly beautiful about the nature of God. Love God, love your neighbor, that's being like this God." [00:15:35]
"Now, this 'fear' that Peter is speaking of is actually the heart of true holiness. Peter is not moving on to a separate idea. The 'fear of God,' Peter is speaking of is the foundation, it is the bricks and mortar of true holiness. And it's why Paul can write in 2 Corinthians 7 verse 1, 'Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement bringing holiness to completion in the fear of the Lord.'" [00:21:03]
"Forgiveness ransomed by the blood of Christ is the most fertile soil for growing a right fear of God. Because when the awesome magnitude of Christ's forgiveness, the extent to which He's gone to atone for our sins, the terrible gravity of our sin, when all that becomes clear to us, as it does best at the cross, the right reaction is to tremble in fear." [00:36:22]
"At the cross, we see most clearly into the kindness and mercy of God for sinners who are so grievous, our sin cost that act of atonement. And that must cause us to go weak with wonder. 'Oh!' said John Bunyan, 'That a great God should be a good God; a good God to an unworthy, to an undeserving, to a people who do what they can to provoke the eyes of His glory; this should make us tremble.'" [00:38:02]
"In the blood of Christ, we see God's magnanimity, His absolute goodness, and they fill us with a fearful and amazed adoration. And so, friends, if you would bring holiness to completion in the fear of the Lord, if you would grow in this fearful heart of what it means to know God. Stay close to the cross. Live in its shadow." [00:39:31]
"With the cross, you see your need for ransom, and it humbles you. You see, you cannot stand before God in your unrighteousness. At the cross, you see His kindness to you, and that melts your heart to love and tremble at this Father of mercy. With the cross, you see how much He hates sin, and that makes you want to leave the futile ways of sin." [00:40:23]
"You are the ransomed children of a holy Father. And the best place to remember that is the cross. 'Knowing,' verse 18, 'you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold.' You were ransomed, dear brother, dear sister, you were ransomed 'with the precious blood of Christ like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.'" [00:41:20]
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