A Life of Fear

1 Peter 1:17-19  If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of you stay on earth: knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Observation:  God is a judge.  I looked up to see the meaning of impartially, it means fair judgement.  God is a fair and just Judge and a responsible Father who "won't let us get by with sloppy living." (1 Peter 1:17 MSG) 

Conduct yourselves in fear...What is this fear?  It's a healthy respect of a believer for the all-powerful God.  It's an awareness that one is always in the presence of God.  It's a life of one who is in awe and worship of God.

God paid for our freedom from sin, not with money, but with the precious blood of His own Son Jesus Christ.  Only through Jesus can we be freed from the bondage of sin.  That right there should bring us to utter awe of our Heavenly Father. 

Application:  We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.  I don't know about you but I want to make the changes I need to live like it.  Let's turn our backs on our former lives.  I know that I cannot escape sin on my own, so I must rely totally on Jesus, only He can free me.  I cannot ignore God or treat Him casually.  I must show respect to my Heavenly Father.  For He is a good Father who Judges fairly.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I praise you and worship you for being a good Father who judges fairly.  I thank you for the price you paid, the precious blood of your own Son Jesus, to free me from the bondage of sin. I know that I cannot escape sin on my own so I ask that you would help me have victory over sin. In Jesus' Name, Amen!