When the Spirit Elects
1 Peter 1:2
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."
From the foundation of the world, God knew our salvation would be purchased through the blood of Jesus Christ and would involve the Spirit's touch upon our lives, cleansing us for a life of obedience.
And while we struggle with the whole concept of foreknowledge, wondering if God gives humanity a choice to accept or reject his salvation, don't let that concern keep you from the main thing—that God's salvation was not an afterthought. From creation, God had it worked out so that both his wrath and his love towards us would be satisfied, through Jesus Christ and the work of the Spirit in our lives.
God has always referred to his church as those who are the elect, a people of the family of God according to God's choice. For those believers persecuted by Rome and driven far from their homes in Israel, this concept of being the elect would have been a message of hope. In spite of the troubles they faced, even in fear for their lives, they were still those who belonged to God. They were the elect. They were the church of Jesus Christ.
Our election is not just unto salvation, but also to be a people of obedience. By faithfulness to obey God's commands, we prove not only our faith and loyalty to the Savior, but also the reality of the Spirit's life within us. For without the Spirit's touch, we are not able to live in obedience.
Jesus told his disciples that his followers would be known by the fruits of their life on this planet. When people saw how they lived, they would know that these men and been with Jesus. They would reflect God's glory and treat others with the love of Christ. In the same way, we know we are the elect by the Spirit of God by the fruits of the Spirit within us.
LORD JESUS
Lord, I thank you for the election of your Spirit, causing me to desire to live a life of obedience to your word, and giving me the power within to resist sin's deceptions. Amen.
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