1 Peter 1:1-2

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.  To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 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: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Pro and con lists are a common means of making decisions.  The decision to follow Christ also comes with its pros and cons.  Peter’s readers were experiencing some of the cons as they faced persecution for following Christ.  He wants to remind them that the pros far outweigh the cons as the implications are eternal as well as immediate.

A MESSAGE TO THE ELECT EXILES: This message is being delivered by Peter who is a representative of Jesus Christ as one of His chosen apostles.  The message is being delivered to fellow believers in Christ who had been chosen by God’s grace to be members of His family.  God’s sovereign election is the only reason anyone is blessed with the gift of salvation.  This spiritual provision is often accompanied by physical hardship.  In this case the direct result of God’s election was exile.  This was not an isolated case but was spread throughout multiple locations and regions.

A MESSAGE BY THE TRIUNE GOD: This message was originated in the Trinity with each member playing a distinct and vital role.  The foreknowledge of the Father, sanctification of the Spirit and the redemption by the blood of the Son are gracious gifts flowing from the Trinity to all who believe.  The only acceptable response to this abundant provision is obedience to Christ.  The Gospel demands faith that is demonstrated by obedience.  Election, sanctification, and redemption will always bring about submission.  This is the work of God and He is very good at His job.

A MESSAGE OF A GROWING GRACE: The eventual result of God’s work in the life of a believer is glorification.  The immediate result is grace and peace.  Nobody deserves to be chosen, forgiven or the indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit.  These are graces bestowed on sinners by a loving and holy God.  The result of this divine favor is an abiding peace that is available in every circumstance of life.  Living in exile does not eliminate the grace and peace of God.  Rather, they are multiplied by it.  Our sufferings will never exceed the grace and peace flowing to us from God. 

APPLICATION: Be thankful for the election of God even in the face of difficult circumstances.  Worship the Trinity for the abundant provision of salvation from sin through the sovereign election of God, the Gospel of Christ, and transforming work of the Holy Spirit.  Recognized God’s multiplied grace and peace in the face of suffering.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hebrews 10:32-39

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.     For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.     Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.     For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.     For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”     But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Endurance...
Read more

James 3:5-12

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!     And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.     For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.     With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.     From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.     Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?     Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Medications come with warning labels about negative side effects they might cause...
Read more

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. It is important to remember the general theme of this section is submission.  The previous section was on wives submitting to their husbands.  This section is on husbands submitting to their wives.  Submission has nothing to do with inferiority and leadership has nothing to do with superiority.  According to Scripture, leaders are called to serve.  Service is an act associated with submission. HOW HUSBANDS SUBMIT TO THEIR WIVES: The two words Peter uses to describe how husbands are to submit to their wives are understanding and honor.  There are stark differences between men and women.  We look at the world a little differently and think about things differently.  Men will often have a difficu...
Read more