We Believe Because of Him

                                           "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 forefathers, 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 (Jesus) you believe in God,
                                            who raised him from the dead, and
                                            glorified him, and so your faith and hope
                                            are in God."
                                                                          1 Peter 1:18-21


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          Being slaves to sin (John 8:34), Jesus paid the ransom to redeem His people,
     and free them from their bondage  (Galatians 4:3) to the ways of the world.

          The price was not paid with earthly wealth, such as silver or gold, which
     the world covets, but with the precious blood of Jesus.  He was the perfect
     substitute and sacrifice for His children, sinless and without fault  in every way.
   

          Just as God the Father has chosen His people for salvation, He also chose
     his Son to be their Redeemer, through his death and resurrection.
         
         
          God called us through the gospel, to live holy lives, and saved us, not because of our
     righteousness, but because of his grace and according to his purpose.


                                             "He called you to this (salvation) through
                                              our gospel, that you might share in the glory
                                              of our Lord Jesus Christ."
                                                                              2 Thessalonians 2:14


          Before the foundation of the world, God the Father decreed the redemption
     and salvation of his people through his Son, who takes away our sin, and gives
     us eternal life.

                                            " ... God, who has saved us and called us
                                              to a holy life - not because of anything we
                                              have done but because of his own purpose
                                              and grace.

                                              This grace was given us in Christ Jesus
                                              before the beginning of time, but it has
                                              now been revealed through the appearing
                                              of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has
                                              destroyed death and has brought life and
                                              immortality to light through the gospel."
                                                                                     2 Timothy 1:9-10

    
          It is because of the work of Jesus Christ, that we believe in God.
       
                                            "According to his great mercy,
                                             he has caused us to be born again
                                             to a living hope through the
                                             resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
                                             dead, to an inheritance that is im-
                                             perishable, undefiled, and unfading,
                                             kept in heaven for you, who by God's
                                             power are being guarded through faith
                                             for a salvation ready to be revealed in
                                             the last time."
                                                                                        1 Peter 1:3b-5

            ("The last time" refers to the entire period between the first and second
     comings of Jesus).

            Therefore, our faith and hope are in God.

                                             " ... that your faith might not rest in
                                              the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
                                                                                         1 Corinthians 2:5

                                            "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
                                              My hope is in you."
                                                                                         Psalm 39:7