To God’s elect…strangers in the world…who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:  Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

I Peter 1:1-2 (NIV)

Apostle Peter wrote letters to the early Christian disciples in the Northern part of Asia Minor around 64 AD. His intention was to encourage them to continue their work to establish the first churches even while they were suffering trials. He assured them they were the chosen ones.

He taught them that while enduring suffering they would be refined in their faith and eventually proven to be genuine in their belief. 

Since their hope rested solely on their new birth through their assurance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, he wanted them to understand they had a higher calling. 

Professor T. W. Hunt explains in his book, From Heaven’s View, that the culmination of God’s work begins after one’s redemption for the purpose of perfecting us to share His glory with Him! He believes that the purpose of salvation is not safety but glory!

God loves you and wants us to continue to move forward, even if you are suffering trials. Peter’s encouragement clearly pushes us to continue the good work we are given by God so that we may experience unspeakable joy!

Peter’s kind words help us understand. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him, and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls  (I Peter 1:8-9 NIV).

Reflection:

Father, the next time I become discouraged during hard times, I hope to remember this teaching. I want to be proud to bear the same identity as the early disciples—“God’s elect.”

Jill Hendrix

*T. W. Hunt and Melana Hunt Monroe, Heaven’s View, 2002, (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1975), 39.