Salvation and Living in Exile
Pastor Steve Hardy
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 [a]seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories [b]to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to [c]look.
13 Therefore, [d]prepare your minds for action, [e]keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As [f]obedient children, do not [g]be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but [h]like the Holy One who called you, [i]be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not [j]redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [k]in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.