"as obedient children"

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 17 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. (1 Peter 1:13-19)

I have been thinking about this passage this week. I am so thankful for my understanding that there are two different things that are spoken of in the Bible that sometimes become confused with eachother. We have been saved by Christ apart from our own merit... which is what verse 18 is talking about. However, we have to give account of what we do as Christians and that is what verse 17 is talking about... and what the context of the whole passage touches on. There is a difference between salvation (which is free) and discipleship (which requires work and vigilance). This is so clear to me now. I am thankful to see the separation. It has made passages like these less of a head scratcher.