1 Peter 1:17-21 | Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 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 ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 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.
We gave our two-year-old son a pair of new boots recently. He was so happy that he didn’t take them off until it was bedtime. But the next day he forgot all about the boots and put on his old sneakers. My husband said, “I wish he knew how much things cost.” The boots were expensive for us, but a young child doesn’t know about working hours, salaries, and taxes.
A child receives the gifts with open arms, but we know that he can’t be expected to fully appreciate the sacrifices his parents make to give him new things. Sometimes I behave like a child. With open arms I receive God’s gifts through His many mercies, but am I thankful? Do I consider the price that was paid so I can live a full life? The cost was expensive—more than “gold or silver, which lose their value.” As we read in 1 Peter, it required “the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1:18–19). Jesus gave His life, a high price to pay, to make us part of His family. When we understand the cost of our salvation, we learn to be truly thankful.
—Keila Ochoa Salvation is infinitely costly, but absolutely free.