1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in
all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
The Lord loved us and sent His son to atone for our sins.
Because of the love shown for us, we should act as holy people because of the
love shown towards us.
Karl Barth preached regularly to the inmates of the
prison in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland. Knowledge of that context adds
poignancy to the sermons. Here was an audience of people who had been
officially judged and condemned as guilty. One of the sermons is based on
Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this
is not your own doing, it is the gift of God." He illustrated by retelling
a Swiss legend:
You probably all know the legend of the rider who crossed
the frozen Lake of Constance by night without knowing it. When he reached the
opposite shore and was told whence he came, he broke down horrified. This is
the human situation when the sky opens and the earth is bright, when we may
hear: By grace you have been saved! In such a moment we are like that terrified
rider. When we hear this word we involuntarily look back, do we not, asking
ourselves: Where have I been? Over an abyss, in mortal danger! What did I do?
The most foolish thing I ever attempted! What happened? I was doomed and
miraculously escaped and now I am safe!
In the same way, everyone who is trusting Christ for
salvation by grace alone can say, "I was in mortal danger. I was doomed but
through the cross of Christ I miraculously escaped and now I am safe!"
[Adapted from Fleming Rutledge, "Hallelujah, I'm a
Miserable Sinner," The Behemoth]
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