1 Peter 1:2 - Sanctified for Obedience

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Exposition

You were chosen or elected according to the foreknowledge of God. It does not mean that God was just aware that you were going to accept Jesus as your Saviour. It means that according to Ephesians 1:4a God had chosen you in Him before the foundation of the world. If you look closely to this beautiful verse, you’ll notice that the Trinity all worked together to bring you to salvation. You were foreknown by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit and sprinkled with the blood of the Son.

To be sanctified is to be set apart. The Holy Spirit convicts a man of sin and then leads the sinner to the Cross where sin is forgiven. As all sin is forgiven, the power of sin is broken and the fruits of the Holy Spirit become available to the “new man”. It is the Holy Spirit Who gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus Christ is Lord.

There is a one-time sanctification and also a continuous sanctification. The initial sanctification which set you apart from sin is a one- time event. The Holy Spirit continues to work in you all your life to make you more holy. It is important for you to access the word of God at all times. John 17:17 says make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Therefore the key to continuous sanctification is allowing the word of God to work in you.

Peter says to you that the purpose of election is that you might obey Jesus and go on benefiting from his cleansing blood. A genuine, saving faith will always produce obedience and submission to the gospel of Christ. A person who claims faith in Jesus Christ but whose pattern of life is utter disobedience to the word of God is not redeemed and is thus living a lie. See James 2:14 which says what use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus on you does three things. It forms a covenant with Jesus, you are ordained as a Priest and you are cleansed from corruption and sin. All these are patterned after the use of blood in the Old Testament times.

What are privilege and blessing to be chosen by the Almighty God.

Prayer

Once again I thank you for knowing me and choosing me before the beginning of time. I pray that the grip of sin be broken completely and both small and big sins will have no place in me. I thank you for daily sanctification. I pray that I will not forsake the word of God. The word will bring cleansing into my heart in Jesus name. By the grace of God, I will enjoy the benefits of the covenant with Jesus Christ all the days of my Christ. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 24

Genesis 28-29

Joshua 24

Job 24

Proverbs 24

Jeremiah 24

Matthew 24

Revelation 12

1 Peter 1:1 - Citizens of Heaven

Exposition

Peter writes to people who are living as foreigners in a land that is not theirs. To get a better understanding, let us see what other translations of the original manuscript (Greek) call them. They are referred to as exiles, temporary residents, refugees, sojourners, those away from their homes, pilgrims, those who have settled down alongside a pagan population and those temporarily residing abroad.

Peter is letting us know that today, no matter your earthly citizenship, you are to regard it as a temporary one. 2 Corinthians 5:1 says our future and hope is in a city not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We are not to get too familiar with the way the world operates. There is daily corruption prevalent here. We are strangers to the views, thoughts, desires, affections, judgment, and speech of the world. Always remember that according to John 15:19 - If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Peter also calls them Chosen people. Other translations use the word “Elect”. To get a better understanding let us see what John said in Chapter 6:67 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

You have been elected or chosen by God. You have a part to play to make the election come to pass. Everyone who accepts Christ has been chosen. No one who accepts Christ can be rejected. Simply put, whoever comes to Christ is the elect of God, what an awesome God. Colossians 3:12  says to put on, therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

Keep reminding yourself that you are residing as an alien in this world and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Prayer

Thank you, my Father, for choosing me. Thank you that by your grace I responded to my election. I pray that by your grace I will not fall out of my election.  Help me, Father, to see my relationship with the world I live in. Help me to be part of those who will impact the world rather than been impacted by the world in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 23

Genesis 26-27

Joshua 23

Job 23

Proverbs 23

Jeremiah 23

Matthew 23

Revelation 11