The elect of God (1 Peter 1;2) Cont.

The "Elect" Of God (1:2) - Cont.

Peter in this epistle will later expound upon the need for obedience. As obedient children of God, we are to be holy - 1 Pe 1:14-16 “as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.”

We are even to submit to civil authorities, that we might silence the ignorance of foolish men - 1 Pe 2:13-16 “Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.” Peter implies grave consequences to those "who obey not the gospel of God" - 1 Pe 4:17 “For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Peter also tells servants and wives to be obedient, but this should suffice to impress upon us that the privilege of being God's "elect" involves the responsibility of being obedient to the will of the Lord.

Finally, being the "elect" of God also means we have the blessings of forgiveness! We enjoy the "spinkling of the blood of Christ Jesus. This is a clear reference to the blessing of forgiveness of sins made possible by the death of Christ. The blessing of forgiveness is one enjoyed when we first become Christians upon our baptism into Christ - Ac 2:38 “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”; 22:16 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.” The blessing of forgiveness is one enjoyed as we confess sins throughout our daily walk with God -1 Jn 1:7-9 “but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This blessing is only one of several mentioned in Peter's epistle. He later speaks of "an inheritance" - 1 Pe 1:4 “unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”. And the "salvation of souls" - 1 Pe 1:9 “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” He describes Jesus as the "Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" - 1 Pe 2:25 “For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” He also refers to the care of God - 1 Pe 5:7 “casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you.”

We hope to examine some of these blessings for God's "elect" in greater detail in future lessons. But what we have seen from 1 Pe 1:2 is that while Christians may indeed be "pilgrims", strangers living in a world not their own, they are not to be pitied! For by the grace of God and their obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ, they are God's "elect", His "chosen ones", and as such they are:
1) Part of God's predetermined plan
2) Chosen through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit
3) Given responsibilities in keeping with the fact they are the children of God
4) Recipients of the richest blessings God has to offer (such as forgiveness of sins)
It is surprising, then, that Peter would address such people with: "Grace to you and peace be multiplied"? Certainly those who are God's "elect" receive in multiple measure the saving grace of God and the peace which accompanies such unmerited favor!

How about you? Are you one of the "elect" of God? You are if you have answered the call of the gospel through the obedience of faith (see Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38-41)! If you have not yet rendered obedience to the gospel, then please do so today, especially in view of the following statements by Peter and Paul:

"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" - 1 Pe 4:17

"and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed." - 2 Th 1:7-10