Ever met someone who just doesn’t have their act together? One day, he’s playing the carefree buddy, the next he’s trying to be the responsible family man. He can’t decide if he’s climbing the corporate ladder or following Christ. He seems to have more gusto for his hobbies than for his contributions to the local church. His life seems scattered — like spilled coffee seeping in every direction.

It’s easy to spot in others. Harder to admit in myself. Do I have my act together? Is it obvious that I am a focused believer? Do others see that spiritual things are my top priority — or just an add-on to an already busy and full life? Am I merely squeezing in time for God, or does my life revolve around Him? Is it evident to those with whom I interact daily that my faith is central to my being, or does it look like an appendage and afterthought?

 The Apostle Peter wrote some stirring words to believers who needed to get their priorities straight:

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. 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….conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways… not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1Peter 1:13-19 ESV

Peter’s message is plain:

• Get your act together and be prepared for action.
• Get your mind in gear and set your hope fully on things of eternal significance.
• Focus on obedience that leads to holiness.
• Be wholly holy in every part of your life.
• Waste no time.

Do we really need to be reminded of the rationale for living such a counter-culture life? Here it is again:

…knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways… not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1Peter 1:18-19.

It was no small thing that God gave His Son for me. Nothing less than His precious blood could have ever rescued me from the desperate situation I was in. My old life would have taken me to Hell. How could I ever find anything attractive or appealing about the stuff that appealed to me back then? How could I ever flirt with the world that despises my Saviour?

Holy conduct is what He expects from me today. Every careless compromise whispers that the preciousness of His blood has been downgraded or degraded in my value rankings.

As we go about our activities today, may we have a fresh appreciation of the price He paid to save us and then conduct ourselves accordingly in light of the future He has secured for us with precious blood.

May I live today like His sacrifice really was precious and priceless.

If you don’t know Frances Havergal’s beautiful hymn, click here to read the lyrics and sing along.

Thy life was given for me;
thy blood, O Lord, was shed,
that I might ransomed be,
and quickened from the dead.
Thy life was given for me;
what have I given for thee?

Thou, Lord, hast borne for me
more than my tongue can tell
of bitterest agony,
to rescue me from Hell.
Thou sufferedst all for me;
what have I borne for thee?

O let my life be given,
my years for thee be spent,
world fetters all be riven,
and joy with suffering blent!
Thou gavest thyself for me;
I give myself to thee