Title: The Elect (1 Peter 1:1-4)
Contents
the elect
1 Peter 1:1-4
There are billions of people on this earth, but there are those who are chosen by God and those who are not. Those who are not chosen are wandering in sin even at this very moment. Not only that, while they are on the road to death, they are spiritually scorched, as if they were given an anesthetic, without any senses, so they are living without any remorse. Thank you for the grace of being chosen by God. “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Holy Spirit and faith in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). The word 'chosen' in verse 2 means 'to set apart'. God has set us apart from among many people and made us His children. “You are a holy citizen of the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you from all the peoples of the earth as a people for his inheritance” (Deuteronomy 7:6).
1. Process of Election
① He was chosen from the womb. In Galatians 1:15 it says, “He chose me from the womb of my mother.” Verse 2 also says, “According to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” In no way did God choose us spontaneously or by chance, but in God's predestined providence.
② You were chosen by grace. Romans 11:5 says, “according to the election of grace”. We are chosen not because of our righteous deeds, but solely by the grace of God (Titus 3:5; 2 Tim. 1:9). Grace is a gift given to those who do not deserve it, as a gift, without a price, by grace and only by the consideration of the giver. Verse 2 says, “To the elect, Grace and peace be multiplied to you.”
③ He was chosen by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. “By the sanctification of the Holy Spirit … to the elect” (verse 2). Our sanctification is not by our merits, but by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for being chosen through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ, and for being justified before God through faith in the redeeming grace of the Lord.
2. Purpose of Election
① This is to make it bear fruit. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you may go and bear fruit, and that your fruit may abid, that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will receive it” (John 15). :16) We must bear many fruits that are pleasing to God. Fruit of light (Eph 5:9), fruit of evangelism (Mark 16:15), fruit of thanksgiving (Psalm 50:23), nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23), fruit of sacrifice (1 Chronicles 29) :21), I hope it bears a lot of fruit. What we know for sure is that what we sow never loses. Please believe that whatever you sow, you will surely reap what you sow according to the kind and quantity (2 Corinthians 9:6). If possible, we should sow good things and sow a lot.
③It is to testify the name of Jesus. “Go, says the Lord! This man is my chosen vessel to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). I hope
3. Blessings of the Elect
① He grants us a living hope. “Praise be to you! The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (verse 3). But the living hope that the Lord has given me is immortal, undefiled, unfading, and eternal. Because living hope is the hope stored up in heaven (Col 1:5), the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2), and the hope of salvation (Romans 8:24).
② He puts on protection. “You are being guarded by the power of God through faith for a salvation which is prepared to be revealed in the last days” (1 Peter 1:5). The world we live in is a dangerous world indeed. But to those who are chosen by God, God protects them with His power (1 Peter 1:5), protects them like the pupil of the eye (Deuteronomy 32:10), takes hold of the hand and protects them (Isaiah 42:6), and protects them forever (Psalm 42:6). 37:28).
③ He allows you to receive the salvation of your soul. “For the end of faith, that is, salvation of the soul” (1 Peter 1:9) Here, 'salvation of the soul' is not only the salvation of the spirit excluding the body, but the salvation of the whole person. It means to transcend physical death and gain spiritual and physical life.
Dear saints, Giving thanks for being chosen by God through grace and sanctification of the Holy Spirit in God's predestined providence, he bears many fruits pleasing to God, preaches the gospel to all people, and bears witness to the name of Jesus so that there is a living hope and protects him. I pray in the name of Jesus that you will become saints who receive salvation and souls.