The Apostle Peter addresses his first letter: “to the chosen ones [NIV, “elect”] who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood…”
Though this greeting is very short, it contains some profound truths. Notice first of all that Peter makes mention of God the Father, the Spirit and Jesus Christ. Because the Bible uses words for the Father, Spirit and Jesus that can only be used for deity, Christians are sometimes accused of worshiping three gods, or making someone else equal with God. This is a serious misunderstanding. There is only one God, and Christians worship Him alone. But although there is only one God, He discloses different aspects of His nature and personality through the terms Father, Jesus Christ (who is also known as the Son) and Spirit. It should not be surprising that there are different aspects to God’s character. God created man in His own image. When we try to describe ourselves we use words like body, soul and spirit. Should the Creator be less complex than the creature He has made?
Even though Scripture tells us that we are made in God’s image it is impossible for man to fully comprehend the nature of God. How can what is created ever understand the One who created him? So when Peter writes about the foreknowledge of God it can be difficult to grasp what he is saying. God is not bound by time. To Him all things are present. He knows everything that will happen in the future. Because of this, some people have concluded that God causes all things to happen. But this is not true. He has given mankind a free will. Each person is free to choose whether he will do what is right or wrong. But because God knows ahead of time what each person will choose, He can also predetermine what the results will be. In Romans 8:29-30 the Apostle Paul writes: “For whom he [that is, God] foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.” When Peter writes to those who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God, he is reminding them of the glory that God has already determined will be theirs. Though they may be despised and rejected in this world, in God’s eyes they are glorified.
In his greeting Peter introduces the main themes of his letter by briefly mentioning the roles of the personalities of God.
Peter tells the people he is writing to, that God the Father has chosen them. This means that in God’s sight they are very special. They are God’s people and the relationship is so close that later on in his letter Peter refers to them as God’s children. (1 Peter 1:14) The prophet Hosea had predicted this. He writes, “…in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” (Hosea 1:10) But how does God choose? Because God is our Creator He is justified in using any method of selecting who His people will be. The Apostle Paul writes, “You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9:19-21) Though God’s choice may at first look arbitrary to us, Peter tells us that God, in fact, chooses on the basis of His foreknowledge. God’s chosen ones are already determined from eternity because He has known from eternity what we will do. The Apostle Paul writes: “…to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation…” (Romans 2:7-8) The factors involved in God’s choice are the things that Peter lists: the sanctifying work of the Spirit, obedience and the sprinkling of Christ’s blood.
The work of the Spirit is to sanctify. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 corroborates Peter’s statement. It says: “…God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth…” The basic meaning of the Greek word that is translated ‘sanctify’ is “to set something apart for special use.” The Spirit separates us from evil and sets us apart for God’s use. The Spirit not only separates us from evil, but builds the qualities into our lives that are pleasing to God. The Scripture says: “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23) Many people make the mistake of trying to do the Spirit’s work by themselves. It is only when we surrender and admit that we cannot become righteous by our own efforts that the Spirit will be able to sanctify us. If we will not submit, the Spirit cannot sanctify. And if we are not sanctified, then we are not chosen. In view of this we all need to ask ourselves whether we are allowing God’s Spirit to work freely in us. Scripture instructs us, “Don’t quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Peter writes that we are chosen to be obedient. Jesus said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) But obedience means far more than just doing the right things. It involves not only our actions, but gladly submitting our will to God also. Jesus said, “…If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) The point is that we cannot truly serve God without submitting to His will. If we will not serve, we are not chosen.