And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; (18) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.  (20) He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (21) who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

This letter was written by the Apostle Peter to the early Christians to encourage them in times of persecution because of their faith.  In ancient days the buying and selling of slaves was a major business – there was a redemption price.  People did not at first understand that the death of the perfect man, Jesus, was the price of redemption from the bondage of slavery to sin.  The Jews were looking for a Messiah of an earthly kingdom but  redemption from sin and eternal salvation by the acts of Jesus is an elementary Christian belief.

Peter is telling his audience that Christian life is lived out of knowledge of the redemption that Christ Jesus has accomplished.  Believers have a new relationship with God which is a motivation for conduct here on earth – a new life style.  Christians are not to become complacent but to remember, in fear, the Father is also the judge of both believers and non-believers.   Peter’s use of the word fear means that we should live our lives as holy or separated from things of this world  – in reverential awe stricken joy and a dread of offending God through sin.  Christians are foreigners and temporary residents of this world who need to practice vigilance against temptation and live lives of holy carefulness. True faith results in sanctified behavior –  All through the New Testament we hear that we act as we believe.

Unbelievers lack divine insight and are unable to lead a life with eternal purpose.   Peter’s use of “believers” in these verses has the meaning of certainty.  “Faith is not a blind leap but is a confident commitment to One Who abounds and the evidence bears ample testimony.”