Studies in First Peter Part 1
“1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” (I Peter 1:1-2).
Believers live as “aliens” in this world because our true “citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). We look forward to the city “whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10) where we will finally and physically dwell with Jesus. Peter’s letter encourages us how to live as agents of grace in a world where we are only passing through.
And we are aliens who are “chosen” by God. Words like “chosen” can carry all kinds of implications because of the myriads of theologies built upon specific words. Theologians sometimes take a verse or word and create an entire belief system like a “house of cards” built on human logic. There is a lot of God can’t do this or won’t do that or ifs, ands, and buts that muddy the water.
We need to read these loaded words in light of the overall message of the New Testament. “Chosen” is one example of that. Reformed theology teaches that few were “chosen” before the foundation of the world to receive the gospel, and the rest of the population was condemned to hell before they were even born. But this thinking does not align with the character of God as we see it displayed in Jesus. It also doesn’t fit the message of the New Testament.
The focus on Jesus coming to take away the sins of the “world” is all over the New Testament. The invitation for “all” to receive the gospel is all over the New Testament. Right here in Peter’s writing we have this example, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for ALL to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).
The gospel is available to all. But not all will receive it. The gospel is an invitation. The gospel is a gift. Christ’s sacrifice in our place is a gift that one must receive to be saved. So, in a way, we are the ones doing the choosing. We chose God when we chose to believe the gospel message of Jesus Christ. So how did God “choose” you in the context of our opening verses?
You raised your hand. Think back to your sixth-grade math class. When the teacher asked for a volunteer to go up to the front of the class and do the problem on the blackboard, students raised their hands. And she chose a student from among the hands raised to march up front and work the problem. If you were the “chosen” student, did the teacher “choose” you? Yes, she did. But she chose you because you raised your hand. She did not choose from the group who kept their hands down.
Likewise, when you heard the gospel, you “raised your hand.” You said “Yes” to Jesus’ invitation. You accepted the gift of salvation in Jesus. And God picked you based on that raised hand. God “chose” you to become a beloved son or daughter in His family. But unlike the teacher example where only one student was chosen, God chose every person who raised their hand. “ALL who call upon the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
God’s foreknowledge knew that you were going to raise your hand. And now as one “chosen” by God, you have been sanctified, set apart, by the work of the Spirit. “By the sanctifying work of the Spirit” in verse 2 is such an interesting phrase. We will dive into it next time.