Are God’s elect some elite kind of believer? No way! Here’s how Peter defines the elect, “God’s elect, strangers in the world, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1: 1-2)
- Those who are elected are selected.
- The elect are chosen of God and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
What are the elect called to? Obedience to Jesus Christ. The elect are strangers in this world–that’s for sure. We are people temporarily residing on the earth, but who know our home is in heaven.
What else can we learn about the elect?
- Given a new birth into a living hope. (1 Peter 1: 3)
- Given an inheritance that never perishes, spoils, or fades. (1 Peter 1: 4)
- Have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (1 Peter 1: 6)
Why must we endure trials? “So that our faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1: 7)
Prepare Our Minds
What are we preparing our minds for? “Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1: 13)
What else are we to prepare for?
- Prepare to be obedient. “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires.” (1 Peter 1: 14)
- Prepare to be holy. “Be holy as I am holy.” (1 Peter 1: 16)
- Prepare to love deeply. “Have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1: 22)
(Shared from 1 Peter 1, Modified)
Restoration Still Coming
Jeremiah continues in releasing the word of the Lord saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O virgin, Israel. Again, you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.” (Jeremiah 31: 3-4)
- God promises restoration, abundance, and bounty.
- God promises refreshment. “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jeremiah 31: 25)
A New Covenant Given
Here’s what the Lord says, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31: 33)
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31: 34)
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is there anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32: 27)
We need to remember, Jeremiah was still hearing from God to release His word while he was in captivity.
- God is always speaking, especially in times when we feel the furthest from Him.
- Learn to listen in times of being confined.
(Shared from Jeremiah 31-32, Modified)
The Elect Are Worshipers
Yes, those chosen of God love to honor and worship the Lord. This Psalm was written showing a brief exchange between the worshipers and the Levites, who kept the temple watch through the night. The worshipers wanted the Levites to continue the praise through the night.
They said, “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” (Psalm 134: 1-2)
(Psalm 132, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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