Our Redemption: "The Precious Blood of Christ"
Brian R. Kenyon

Peter reminds his readers: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:18-19). The word "redeemed" means to be set free from bandage by some sort of payment. This same Greek word is found in two other places (Lk. 24:21; Tit. 2:14). The thing from which we are redeemed is identified in this context as "vain conversation [aimless conduct, NKJ; futile way of life, NAS]." This expression can refer to any life lived apart from God, but it is especially suggestive of the life of idolatry, which is definitely futile (cf. 1 Kgs. 17:15; 1 Cor. 8:4; Jer. 2:5, 8; Acts 14:15; Eph. 4:17). The worthless manner of life they chose was handed down from their ancestors.

Peter declares what did not redeem them; namely, gold, silver, and perishable things. "Gold and silver" were usually used in ransoming slaves of the first century. "Corruptible things" refer to those things that are subject to decay (cf. 1 Pet. 1:7).

Peter declares what did redeem us; namely, the "precious blood of Christ." Christ's blood is precious because it cleanses our conscience (Heb. 9:14); it gives us access to God (Heb. 10:19); it continuously cleanses the faithful Christian from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5); it gives us victory over Satan (Rev. 12:11); and it rescues us from a sinful way of life (1 Pet. 1:19). Their is nothing more valuable to humanity than the "precious blood of Christ"! Without it, we have no hope.

Do we have that "precious blood of Christ" applied to our lives? The only way that is possible is to come in contact with Christ's death, which is done through baptism (Rom. 6:3-4). Baptism is only for those who believe the Gospel of Christ (Mk. 16:15-16), who are willing to repent of their sins (Acts 2:38), and who are willing to confess their faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10). Have we been baptized? If not, let us no longer delay, but be redeemed by "the precious blood of Christ"!