Devotional Thoughts: God's elect, strangers in the world

As far as I can tell, there is no other Bible book that deals with suffering as directly as Job. But I think 1 Peter and 2 Peter do touch on the subject a bit more than many other writings of Scripture. These two books discuss many other topics as well.

So let's take a look ...

Let's get to the introduction.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,


image source: http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Exterior/StPeterStatue/StPeter-Apos.jpg

I hope someday to visit St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

I would venture to say that Peter was probably the most famous of the 12 disciples as he was the most outspoken of the bunch sometimes to his detriment!

It is generally believed by scholars that the Gospel of Mark was influenced strongly by Peter's preaching. The Book of Acts which chronicles the growth of the early church has much material about Peter (Chapters 1-12). The Book of Acts eventually followed the role of Paul in the advancement of the church (Chapters 13-28).

Some scholars question whether Peter could have written I and II Peter because he was a plain old fisherman from Galilee.

Though Peter would not have had the high level of education of a Jewish rabbi, being a good Jew, he would had a solid knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. He would also, of course, have had the benefit of sitting at the feet of Jesus!

It should be noted also that he give up the fisherman's life and would have spent much more time contemplating the teachings he heard from Jesus, re-examining the Hebrew Scriptures in that light, discussing with the other Apostles and the Holy Spirit was promised to the disciples to help them.

We can also speculate on the role Silas may have had in helping him craft this letter.

To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,


image source: http://www.bible-history.com/maps/asia_minor.html

Today, Turkey is an almost exclusively Muslim country with a small number of Christians. But way back at the beginning of the church, Jesus followers could be found there, a small number also, in what was probably a society dominated by Greek and Roman polytheism.

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.

Isn't this re-assuring?

These believers, whom Peter called strangers in the world, were chosen according to the foreknowledge of God!?

Won't delve into the philosophical implications of that here! 8-)

But it is re-assuring to know that God knew!

There is also the sanctifying work of the Spirit ... we are being made holy and pure.

This work was begun by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus for the purpose of our being obedient to Jesus.

All three persons of the Trinity are involved in our lives!

And so abundant grace and peace can be available to us.

Thank you Lord that you were not content to see us lost in this world alienated from you and living in turmoil. Instead you sent Jesus. Instead you sent the Spirit. You have called us to something better... to yourself. Thanks be to God! Amen.