…”To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia ,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.”
If God's work is to draw us to Himself, because He has a plan for you and me, then how does He do that? Peter presents the work of the Father by also mentioning the work of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The people in Peter's days were just getting used to God revealed in three ways. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all engaged in the work of Salvation. God chose us; the Spirit sanctifies us; and Jesus Christ bought us.
The plan of salvation includes more than the Father's electing love; it also includes the work of the Spirit in convicting the sinner and bringing him to faith in Christ. Sanctification is the setting apart. The root idea of the word is separation from common uses to the service of God. God's Spirit is actively engaged in setting people apart to a totally different kind of life. He awakens our hearts to respond to God and His goodness. He makes us aware how really damaging sin is in our lives and in our relationships. As we mature these things become less of an attraction. God made us for Himself and has plans for us now and forever. It is God's Spirit that makes us holy before God.
We see the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who had to die on the cross for our sin or there could be no salvation. In the Old Testament the Jews used to kill animals to sacrifice them. Because they were unholy, God said in order to have a relationship, some animal has to die. That is how much He hates sin. That blood is a reminder, do not take sin lightly.
Aaron was sprinkled with blood as one set apart for God's service in the Old Testament. It was put on his right ear, on his thumbs, and the right big toe. It symbolized the servant was to hear, do, and go according to the command of God. The priests were consecrated for service to God.
When the blood was applied to the doorposts in the Old Testament, it was so the judgment of death would not be applied to that household. In Jesus Christ we are saved from the judgment of death. Our sins fell on Jesus Christ Himself. When we come to Jesus, His blood has been shed not just to cover our sin, but cleanse us from it. Now we are a priesthood to listen to God, to do what He wants, and go where He wants us to go in service and obedience.
God, the Father, chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world. God, the Son, paid the price at Calvary. God, the Holy Spirit, convicts us of our sin. I saw the need for Jesus to save me from my sin as a 9-year-old. God in His Triune person carried out His work of salvation in my life.
God calls us strangers in this world. We are just passing through. We have a citizenship elsewhere. A sojourner has no intention of settling down away from home. This pictures the believer with his true citizenship in heaven while temporarily away from home on earth.
Peter was addressing Jews who had embraced Christianity. They were strangers, for they were not really Gentiles or Jews. They were being rejected by their friends and family. They were without a home literally and figuratively. Peter was telling them they do have a home. They do have friends. We are a new Kingdom together. Peter wanted the suffering brothers and sisters to look beyond this temporary journey and exercise faith in the One who loved them.
