1 Peter 1

Verses 1-2, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”  Peter opens his letter to the Christians who are dispersed throughout several regions, who recognize themselves as being from away, knowing that this is not their home. Election is a much debated topic among Christians, but here's what we know from the scriptures. First, election is according to God's foreknowledge, but it is not a one way street. God does choose us, but we need to choose Him too and He's given us free will to either accept or reject Him. Joshua 24:14-15, “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Second, election must have the result of sanctification for obedience. There is a resulting cleansing from sin by the blood of Jesus that is evident in those who are elect of God. Again, not a one way street of us passively receiving things from God, but action is required in our parts once we are a new creation in Christ. Look at all the action words in these verses of things we will do if we are indeed saved and walking in obedience. Colossians 3:12-17, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and bethankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Realizing all that God has done for us should cause us to praise Him just like Peter did. Verses 3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  We are born again through Jesus' death and now have the hope of eternal life, but only IF we continue in faith. Walking after the lusts of the flesh, as we did before we were saved, is not faith. Colossians 1:21-23, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

While we wait, we must patiently endure knowing that we will suffer on this side of eternity. 2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” However, God will use these trials to perfect us and so we can rejoice in Him, even in the midst of them. James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  This patience or endurance is what we need to finish the race well. If we were eternally secure, why would we need endurance? Genuine faith is more precious than gold, and will not be destroyed when tested by fire. Our faith must be tested to know if it is genuine or not, so do not be shocked when the fire comes. I Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

In light of our promised salvation, we need to act accordingly, with righteousness as our focus. Verses 13-16, “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; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.' ” Sitting back and resting in your eternal security is being unworthy of your calling and is not really an option. Romans 11:19-22, “You will say then, 'Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.' Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.”

Verse 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.” We cannot focus on God's goodness and ignore His severity. He is just and will pour out His wrath on those who are hard-hearted and disobedient, just as He punished the Jews in the wilderness. Their example is written for our admonition or warning, if we will receive it and be taught by it. If we refuse, however, He is under no obligation to receive us according to our way and we should expect a similar response. I Corinthians 10:1-12, “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.' Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”