You are set apart by the Holy Spirit in the foreknowledge of God!

“To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.” 1st Peter 1:1-2.

Being a temporary resident on this planet earth can be a matter of short-term joy but would not give a lasting one. The temporary residency away from home by the dispersion did not give anything other than continuous suffering and persecution for these suffering people in the first century. 

However, Peter has something to remind them amid their trials and sufferings. 

Today’s Bible verse is the first verse in the first chapter of the first letter written by Apostle Peter.  Peter wrote his letter to the suffering Christians dispersed in various regions of the northern province of Rome.

I want to bring to your attention certain eternal truths from this verse. First, he reminds them, they were chosen by God even though they were suffering. Listen, God chose them according to His foreknowledge. The foreknowledge not only includes the ‘prior knowledge of all in His Omniscience but also includes His ‘pre-determination or predestination’. Secondly, God chose them, who would come to Him, in His pre-determination or predestination for salvation. 

Now the goal of predestination is also explained in our passage. It says the aim is to set them apart by God’s Holy Spirit. The word ‘sanctified’ used in some translations means, set apart.’ God set them apart from others in the world. Now the question is set them apart for what? It says God set them apart by His Holy Spirit for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. 

The fact that you came to God in obedience and consequently allowed yourself to be sprinkled with the blood of Christ is proof that you were chosen and predestined by God for His salvation, heavenly inheritance, and eternal life. 

The moment you believed Jesus died and rose again for your sin and accepted Him as your savior, you are declared chosen, predestined, set apart for obedience to God, and sprinkling with the blood of Christ. 

These two verses highlight the role of the triune God in your salvation. God has chosen and predestined you. The Holy Spirit is the agent by whom you came to God in obedience. It is the person and the work of Jesus Christ, which accomplished the eternal salvation for you by the shedding of his divine and innocent blood.

  The verses after this (vs. 3-9) explain the results of your obedience for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. They are- new birth, a living hope, inheritance in heaven that are the unfading, imperishable and incorruptible, and inexpressible and glorious joy of eternal life with God in heaven. 

The question is this- Did you obey God by coming to Jesus Christ and allowing yourself to be sprinkled with the blood of Christ yet? The blood of Christ cleanses you from all sins and makes you a brand new creature to stand in front of the holy God in heaven eternally. If you haven’t come to God in obedience to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, the spirit of God, the Holy Spirit is bidding now to come to Him. Now, when you come to Jesus, you would be declared chosen, predestined, born-again, heir of the heavenly inheritance, and inexpressible joy and rejoicing. 

Would you come? I will help you to accomplish this in a small prayer with me right now. 

“Father in heaven, I understand you have chosen and predestined me to enjoy your salvation’s inexpressible joy. I come in obedience and accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. I believe the blood of Jesus can save me, forgive me, and grant me eternal life in heaven. Please save me now. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”