Tag: God

“According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:” (I Peter 1:2a).

Yesterday we read from I Peter 1:1 that believers are elect or chosen exiles who are often scattered because of their faith in Christ. What is the basis and purpose of these identifying marks of the believer?

Peter says that believers in Christ are elect and scattered exiles because of the foreknowledge of God the Father. This foreknowledge is not only knowledge before something occurs, but also it means to be for-ordained.

God’s foreknowledge refers to His predetermined plan to not only save sinners by grace alone, but to also conform believers to the image and character of Christ (Romans 8:28-30). God often does this through difficulties which help mature us. Our persecutions are not mere chances of impersonal fate, but rather the result of the predetermined plan by our loving and sovereign God.

Peter also says that believers are elect and scattered exiles in the sanctification of the Spirit. The word Spirit specifically refers to the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is growing in holiness. The purpose of persecution is so believers will increasingly become separate from sin and conformed to the holy character of God.

Finally, Peter says that believers are elect and scattered exiles for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. Obedience means to hear and be submissive to God’s Word (Ex. 24:7; Rom. 1:5; 15:18; 16:26). The blood sprinkling is reminiscent of the Old Testament priestly work at the tabernacle (Lev. 7:14; 14:7, 16, 51; 16:14–15; cf. Heb. 9:13; 12:24), which resulted in obedience on the part of the people.

When you face difficulties, remember the three-fold work of the Trinity in your soul. May these truths give you the strength and courage to persevere.

Soli deo Gloria!

“To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” (I Peter 1:1b).

From the very outset of his epistle, the Apostle Peter identifies believers by three specific words: elect, exiles and scattered (of the Dispersion). The purpose of using these words was to comfort and encourage Christians facing persecution for their faith. What was true of Peter’s original audience remains true today.

First, believers are elect. The word elect comes from the Greek word ἐκλεκτός (eklektos) meaning chosen. Throughout the New Testament, believers in Christ are identified as ones chosen by God unto salvation (Mt. 22:14; Mk. 13:20; Lk. 18:7; Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; 2Ti. 2:10; 1Pe. 2:9; Rev. 17:14). Believers in Christ are God’s elect. This is not by chance or human decision but rather by God’s sovereign, unconditional and gracious choice made before the foundation of the world (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 1:3-4).

Second, believers are exiles (parepidēmois). The word means alien, sojourner, stranger or temporary resident. Christians are therefore chosen exiles who live in this world only for a relatively brief period of time. This is because this world is not their eternal home.

Thirdly, believers are scattered (diasporas) or dispersed ones. This word, much as it is used in James 1:1, refers to Christians who had been scattered like salt due to increasing persecution by non-believers. Within the context of I Peter, the believers to whom he was writing were scattered in five Roman Provinces which comprise much of modern day Turkey.

Today, believers in Christ continue to be chosen exiles who are often scattered like salt because of their faith. Rejoice and rest today in the truth that your salvation, from beginning to end and everything in between, is a sovereign work of God.

Remember, God is in control not only in what you experience as a Christian, but also that you are a Christian!

Soli deo Gloria!

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” (I Peter 1:1a).

Peter was not his own man. He belonged to someone who ruled him, used him and was glorified by him. Peter belonged to Jesus. Jesus was who Peter obeyed, served and sought to glorify. By no means was Peter perfect, but neither are we.

The name Jesus means Savior, while the title Christ means anointed One. Peter belonged to and served the One who saved his soul and was Lord of his life.

The Apostle Paul shares this same thought in I Corinthians 6:19-20 which says, “¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Too often today, the church is focused more upon itself than the Lord. Churches seek to find unique ways to bolster their attendance, make worship more entertaining or fill the pulpit with so-called rock star communicators rather than entrust the numerical growth of the church to God (I Corinthians 3:5-9), ensure worship is done in spirit and truth (John 4:24), and that men who fill the pulpit are preaching the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:1-5) and not just sharing entertaining stories.

As one pastor explains, “Over the past, few decades, we have seen many silly and irreverent things introduced into worship to draw a crowd and keep people entertained. To do such things, however, is to play with fire. We must follow God’s prescriptions for worship.”

Believers are called to serve and worship Christ, and not the other way around. We belong to Him. He is our Master. Let us serve Him.

Soli deo Gloria!

Good morning.

I Peter begins with these words: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,”

Today, letters, emails, texts and even tweets begin with either an address to whom we are speaking or the subject of which we are writing. Very rarely, if at all, do we begin a written document by identifying who is doing the writing.

Not so in the first century. Letters, or epistles as they were known, normally began with the identity of the person doing the writing. The Apostle Paul’s epistles began this way. So do Peter’s.

What does the name “Peter” mean? In the Greek language the word is petros, which refers to a rock or a stone. Jesus gave Simon the fisherman his new name in Matthew 16:18. Jesus did so in anticipation of Peter’s role in the early church as one of the original twelve apostles.

Jesus would use Peter in a most significant way by choosing him to be the first person to publically present the gospel to the Jews (Acts 2:14-36). Peter would authenticate Phillip’s gospel ministry to the Samaritans (Acts 8:4-25), who were a people resulting from the intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles. Peter would also be the first individual to share the gospel to a Gentile named Cornelius (Acts 10).

God used Peter in a most unique way. How is God using you? Are you willing to pray that you are available for what He would have you to accomplish for His glory? It may not be the exact same ministry as Peter, but it will be unique.

Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!