1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Here writing to those displaced Christians, Peter firstly recognizes their salvation and coming to the Faith had been according to God's predestination and election, and had been made efficacious by the Holy Spirit's work through the Blood of Christ and for obedience to Him.
The full work of the Trinity in salvation is expressed in these two short verses as well as stating one (of the many) purposes of salvation, that is that we may become obedient to God (in contrast to those today who would deny the evidencing of true faith in God by obedience).
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
How often do we exalt God simply for the mercy He has shown to us. For how great is that mercy which He has given us through Jesus Christ and that now we have a living hope because He was raised from the dead, thereby acknowledging the perfect satisfaction the Father has received from the Son.
Our Lord does not remain dead and buried in the Judean sand, but now sits with Majesty on high at the right hand of the Father. Where O death is you victory, where O death is your sting. Our hope rests in the glories to come for we now have an inheritance to look forward to, an inheritance that will remain forever.
How foolish we are to treasure so highly things on this Earth which will decay and be destroyed. How foolish we are to believe that such inheritances are to be gained whilst still in this present life. For those who seek such things as wealth, power or status through religion, they may very well have already received their reward.
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Indeed, can one who is truly saved by God ever fall away completely? Surely there are those who have stumbled for a time and experienced spiritual storms that threaten shipwreck, but God is faithful to protect those whom He has saved for His very reputation rides upon this.
Just as Moses pleaded with God not to destroy the stiff-necked Israelites for His Name's sake, so too will God keep His Elect safe lest others say, "It is because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness." (Num. 14:16)
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The Bible never promises believers a smooth road to Heaven. Instead, all true believers will go through many trials- though ultimately of short duration relative to eternity. Such trials are to further sanctify the believer, to prove that their faith is true.
How many of us fear suffering? Do we fear that we would be found wanting in our faith? But yet such is the Lord's plan of purifying every believer and of exposing those who may profess to know Christ, but yet are not of His sheep. Such tested faith, if true, will ultimately result in greater praise and adoration of God, as revealed in and through Jesus Christ.
It is interesting to observe how people cope with various sufferings in their life. For some, they lash out in anger at a God who would allow such sufferings to happen. They had been told that the Christian walk was one of continually bliss and ease, that prosperity and health was their right. And when the realities of this fallen world confront them head-on, it reveals the sand on which the foundation of their faith had been built upon. Yet there are others, who when afflicted with disease or poverty, seek to praise God all the more for the grace He has already shown to them in their lives through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Sickness does not dampen their passion for God, for they eagerly await the new glorified body which is to come. Poverty does not dismay them, for they have their eyes set on the eternal prize and the glorious riches of their inheritance. Such is their joy and their faith in Christ, though they live in time 2000 years after our Lord walked on this earth, that an inexpressible joy resides within them, knowing that they will receive the salvation promised to them.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,
11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.
12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
The coming of Christ was no abnormal or surprise event in time, for the entirety of the Old Testament pointed to the One who would save His people from their Sins. His life, suffering, death, burial and resurrection were foretold centuries before the God-Man Christ Jesus ever walked this Earth.
Is it not intriguing, that the angels look at Christ's work on the Cross and while praising God for His Mercy and Grace, are yet unable to experience it or know of it themselves? Is it not amazing that while we can sing of our redemption, no angel can sing that? No angel can sing, "He died for me."
What great privilege has God granted unto Man, that he should be a recipient of Grace unmeasurable. Is there a realization of that in your life Christian? Why then should any child of God ever despair? How marvelous are the infinite mercies of God in Jesus Christ.
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