A STRANGER CHOSEN BY GOD

Let us examine the term strangers. We do not belong to this world or its systems or values. Peter is making a point because he does not want their eyes to be fixed on their present trials. He was giving them perspective. Isn’t this true for us today? So many terrible things are going on everywhere, and we can lose our hearts. Or we can be so influenced by the lifestyle around us that we merge into it and lose our distinctness. There is a great battle for and a challenge to purity and holiness today.

In verse 17, Peter says, “Live out your time as foreigners/strangers here in reverent fear”.

Chapter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

We need to make a choice: either to live by the standards of this world, where truth is no longer absolute, or to live as citizens of the kingdom, whose values are opposite to those of the world and are constant.

Verse 2a “Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”

They (and we, too) are not a random group. Peter is reminding them of who they are. They were chosen in Christ before the foundations of the World were laid (Eph 1:4 For he chose us in Him before the world's creation to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love). The foreknowledge refers to the fact that God knew before, planned before, and not that He saw into the future and chose you. Salvation starts and is sustained by an all-knowing, all-powerful God. Nothing in us would have chosen Him, but His loving kindness drew us to repentance. Therefore, we must be eternally grateful for our salvation.

Your election is special because unless the Father draws you, you cannot come to God (John 6:44, Luke 10:20, Matt 24:22). You cannot come to the Father except through Jesus, who also spoke of the elect in John 17.

It is worth noting that this verse displays the trinity: the Father's foreknowledge through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Verse 2b – “By the sanctifying work of the Spirit”.

This refers to all the Spirit produces in salvation: faith, repentance, regeneration, and adoption. This sanctifying work cleanses, purifies and sets us apart. You cannot be convicted of sin and righteousness unless the Holy Spirit does His sanctifying work.

Reflections

• Do you realize that your salvation began in the heart of God and is in your choice?
• Thank God that He chose you before you could do anything to prove your worth. The fact is we could never be worthy.