1 Peter 1:18-19

1 Peter 1:18-19  

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;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

The Jews had to go to the high priest at least once a year bringing (or buying) a sacrifice so that their sins might be forgiven.  In addition man had many traditions that the Jews were to follow if they had any hope to go to heaven.  Many brought gold and silver as if wealth could guarantee a place; and even with all this, after all the sacrifice and living as sin free a life as was possible being men, they didn’t go directly to heaven – they rested in Abraham’s bosom until Christ came to open the gates of heaven for them.

With all that they did many still had questions – have they done enough to get to heaven?  There were those that thought they had, but they had put their faith in traditions and manipulating the laws to allow them to do what they want, not necessarily what was right. 

Our sins are forgiven, and we can say that with confidence, because Christ shed His blood as an all-encompassing sacrifice.  He became our High Priest, we can go directly to God through Him at any time we wish and know that He is listening.  We no longer have to travel to the temple and have the High Priest pray on our behalf.  We don’t have to wonder, because it was God’s own Son that was given in sacrifice, and it was the last time blood would have to be shed for our sins. 

Unfortunately, we can limit the moving of God’s Spirit by setting up traditions that are meaningless in God’s plan.  We can put ourselves into questionable circumstances by believing in those that twist the Gospel for a multitude of their own reasons.  For some it is for them to gain personal power and admiration from followers, for others it is personal financial gain (or all three), others may be sincerely trying to find a path to God – but don’t follow the path the Christ laid out either because it is too simple OR to demanding.  We are vulnerable to satan’s leading in one way or another – and he knows what it is. 

Satan wants to destroy God’s people, he started with Adam and Eve, worked through the Jewish people and then onto those that have accepted Christ.  He will complicate the message wherever possible to make us doubt God’s Word.

We have many defenses against this, Christ Himself, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  It isn’t complicated; all we have to do is accept His Word in all its simplicity concerning God’s Salvation; and for that matter, living a life dedicated to Him.  

~ From the Columbia River Gorgeous