1Peter 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.
These are the words of Peter, writing to Christians who had been displaced. He refers to them as “strangers” in the KJV or “aliens” in the NAS. Adam Clarke’s Commentary explains this word, “good men, though at home, are strangers, especially if they meet with opposition, trouble, and affliction, as those Christians did to whom St. Peter is here writing; for he speaks of their trials and temptations”.
The word ‘aliens’ comes from <parepidemos> meaning a resident foreigner. It specifically referred to those converted Israelites residing throughout Asia Minor (reference Strong’s Greek Dictionary). The book of James begins with a similar address, “to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad”, James 1:1.
Peter, in verse 2, reminds the dispersed Christians that they have been saved “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit”, for a reason – “that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood”.
They have been selected, chosen by God to live holy, in obedience to their calling. This requires a heart that is submitted to God, literally meaning attentive hearkening or compliance with the will of God, surrendering to His authority. Consider Peter’s example. When he was called, he left his net and followed, turning from his old way of life, towards God, Matthew 4:18-20.
Those who have been chosen by God,
Were chosen in eternity past for God’s purpose,
Through the calling and sanctification of the Holy Spirit,
To live in obedience apart from sin through His power.
We are called to live in obedience to His will. If you are saved, you are an alien on earth. You probably realize you do not ‘fit in’ with the world’s thinking. You have been called to holiness just as those dispersed Christians Peter addressed.
Peter describes himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ”. An apostle <apostolos>, is an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ, a messenger who is sent. By using these words, Peter confirms his personal belief in the Gospel of grace.
Take a moment to consider how you describe yourself.
What defines you?
Have you received the precious gift of faith which spurs you on to holiness?
What does it mean to be an ambassador of the Gospel?
What is your purpose?
Are you daily growing in obedience through God’s saving grace?
Romans 12:2 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.
1Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
2Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.
Read Philip Doddridge’s N.T. commentary, “I call you {elect} because you are indeed chosen according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, who has projected all his schemes with the most consummate wisdom, and perfect discerning of every future event. He has been pleased, according to the steady purposes of his grace, to bring you, by means of the sanctification of the Spirit, by the sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost operating upon your souls, to evangelical obedience. He has subdued all your prejudices against the gospel, and effectually engaged you to submit to it; and thus you are interested in the pardon of sin, and in all the other blessings which proceed from the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, whereby forgiveness is obtained for us Christians as it was for the Jews under the law, upon sprinkling the blood of the sacrifices; and may this and every other instance and degree of grace, and all the peace consequent upon it, be multiplied unto you all, wherever you are, and whatever your condition and circumstances in life may be”.
If you are saved, God has shown His favor toward you. He has determined for you to be His child, receiving His grace and the work of His Holy Spirit in your life. You have been purchased for obedience. God’s gift of redemption affords His children an abundance of peace – internal quietness in the midst of a chaotic world, and an outward response of calm through all difficulties of life. Rest, freedom from stress and anxiety, is found in God alone.
Perhaps we need to compare who we were before God’s choosing to who we are in God’s grace. Read Ephesians Chapter 2. As you read through this section of Scripture, fill out the three columns below.
Who I was - Who God is, Who I am now-
What He has done-
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What is your response to these truths?
How will you apply these truths in your life and circumstances?
God’s forgiveness of your sins, your response of faith, growing in holiness, living in obedience, and the resulting peace is because of God’s doing – His choosing. I pray each of us have hearts filled with gratitude for the gift of God’s grace and the power of His Spirit calling us to follow.
